Section 158: Ground for declaring election as a whole void

158. Ground for declaring election as a whole void.—1[(1)] The Election Tribunal shall declare the election as a whole to be void if it is satisfied that the result of the election has been materially affected by reason of— (a) the failure to comply with the provisions of this Act or the Rules in connivance with the returned candidate; or (b) the prevalence of extensive corrupt or illegal practices at the election. 1[(2) If the Election Tribunal finds that the failure to comply with this Act or the rules mentioned in clause (a) of sub-section (1) is due to negligence of one or more Presiding Officers or the Returning Officers and not in connivance with the returned candidate, it shall direct the Commission to initiate criminal proceedings against the negligent Presiding Officers or Returning Officers under section 184 read with section 188, as well as disciplinary proceedings against them under section 55 and pending final decision in these proceedings, remuneration due to them in connection with the election shall be withheld.]

Effective date: 2017-10-02

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