presidential and vice-presidential...

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“ No voter to be left behind”

Manual for PRESIDENTIAL AND

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Manual for PRESIDENTIAL AND

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

June 2017Document 17 - Edition 1

Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksxElection Commission of India

Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001


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Manual for PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL

ELECTIONSJune 2017




June 2017Document 17

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CONTENTS Subject Pages

1. Introduction 1-3

2. ElectionScheduleandElectionMachinery 4-5

3. NominationofCandidates 6–10

4. ScrutinyofNominations 11-12

5. WithdrawalofCandidature 13-14

6. PreparationforPoll 15-17

7. Poll 18-26

8. CountingofVotesandDeclarationofResult 27-31

ANNEXURES 32-49

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CHAPTER-IIntroduction

ConstitutionalProvisions-

UndertheConstitutionofIndia,thereshallalwaysbeaPresidentofIndia(Article52oftheConstitution).TheexecutivepoweroftheGovernmentisvestedinthePresident.Heholdsthehighestelectiveofficeinthecountryandiselectedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsof theConstitutionand thePresidential andVice-Presidential ElectionsAct,1952(referredtointhisBookas̀ 1952Act).The1952ActissupplementedbytheprovisionsofthePresidentialandVice-PresidentialElectionsRules,1974(referredtoas̀ 1974Rules).The1952Actandthe1974RulesformacompleteCoderegulatingallaspectsofconductofelectionstotheOfficeofthePresident,andresolutionofdisputesrelatingtotheelection.

TermofOffice

1.1 ThePresidenthasatermofofficeoffiveyears.TheVice-Presidentalsohasaterm offiveyears.TheperiodoffiveyearscommencesfromdateonwhichthePresident andVice-Presidentassumestheoffice(Articles 56 and 67).

1.2 TheElectionCommissionconductselectionstotheofficesofPresidentandVice- President.UnderArticle324oftheConstitution,thesuperintendence,direction andcontrolofelectionstotheofficesofPresidentandVice-presidentofIndiais vestedintheCommission.

1.3 ThereisaConstitutionalmandatetoconductelectiontoelectthenewPresident/ Vice-President before expiry of the term of office of outgoing President and Vice-PresidentsothatthenewlyelectedPresidentcanassumeofficeontheday following the date of expiry of the term of office of the outgoing incumbent (Article 62).

ElectoralCollege

1.4 ThePresidentiselectedbyanelectoralcollegecomprisingtheelectedmembers of both theHouses of Parliament and the electedmembers of the Legislative Assemblies of all States and the Legislative Assemblies of NCT of Delhi and Puducherry.ThenominatedmembersoftheseHousesdonothavevotingright inthePresidentialelection.Similarly,membersoftheStateLegislativeCouncils arealsonotelectorsinthiselection(Article 54).

TheVice-Presidentis,however,electedonlybythemembersofbothHousesof Parliament.Inhiselection,nominatedmembersofbothHousesareeligibleto participateaselectors.

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ValueofVotes

1.5 InthePresidentialelection,thevalueofvotesofMLAsvaryfromStatetoState. Themanner of calculation of value of votes is laid down in Article 55 of the Constitution.ThevalueofvotesoftheMLAsofaparticularStateiscalculatedby dividingthepopulationofthatStatebythetotalnumberofelectedmembersin theLegislativeAssemblyoftheState,andfurtherdividingthequotientby1000. Iftheremainderafterdivisionby1000islessthan500,thatistobeignored,andif theremainderis500ormore,thevalueofvotewillbeincreasedby1.Thevalue ofvotesoftheMPsofLokSabhaandRajyaSabhaisthesameirrespectiveofthe Statetowhichtheybelong.Valueofvoteintheircaseisdeterminedbydividing thetotalvalueofvotesofalltheMLAsofallStatesandNCTofDelhiandPuducherry bythenumberofelectedmembersofLokSabhaandRajyaSabha(ifremainder whilesodividingismorethanone-half,thevaluewillbeincreasedby1,andin othercasestheremainderwillbeignored.

[For the purpose of calculating the value of votes, ‘population’ to be taken into account, as per the Explanation under clause (3) of Article 55 and the proviso thereto, is the population as per the 1971 Census. This will be the position until the figures of the first Census to be taken after 2026 are published.]

1.6 InthecaseofVice-Presidentialelection,asmentionedabove,theelectorsarethe membersof the twoHousesofParliament (Lok SabhaandRajya Sabha). The nominatedmembersofthetwoHousesalsohavevotingrightinVice-Presidential election.Inthiscase,eachvotehasvalueof1 (Article 66).

SystemofElection

1.7 TheelectionofthePresidentandVice-Presidentshallbeheldinaccordancewith thesystemofproportionalrepresentationbymeansofsingletransferablevote andthevotingatsuchelectionshallbebysecretballot.Inthissystem,theelector hastomarkpreferenceagainstthenamesofthecandidatesontheballotpaper. Anelectorcanmarkasmanypreferencesasthenumberofcandidatesinthefray. Preferencehastobemarkedinfiguresonly.Itcanbeintheinternationalformof Indiannumerals(1,2,3……),orinRomanformorintheformusedinanyofthe recognisedIndianlanguages.Thepreferencecannotbemarkedinwords.While themarkingoffirstpreferenceismandatoryfortheballottobevalid,thesubsequent preferencesareoptional.Noothermarkshouldbeputontheballotpaper.Other marksmayleadtoinvalidationoftheballotatthetimeofcounting.

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Legalframework

1.8 Articles54to68oftheConstitutionofIndia,thePresidentialandVice-Presidential ElectionsAct, 1952, and thePresidential andVice-Presidential ElectionsRules, 1974,formthelegalregimefortheelectionstotheofficesofthePresidentand thevice-PresidentofIndia.Therearesupplementarydirectionsandinstructions issuedbytheElectionCommission.

1.9 TherelevantconstitutionalprovisionshavebeenreproducedinAnnexure-1.

1.10 TableshowingthevalueofvotesofMLAsofeachoftheStatesandthevalueof votesofMPsinthePresidentialElectionisannexedasAnnexure-2.

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CHAPTER-IIElectionScheduleandElectionMachinery

2.1 TheCommissionsetsinmotiontheelectionprocessfortheofficeofPresident/ Vice-Presidentbyissuingnotificationcallingtheelectionandspecifyingtheelection schedulefortheelections.Thenotificationcallingtheelectioncanbeissuedany timeduringtheperiodofthe60thdaybeforetheexpiryofthetermofofficeof theoutgoingPresident/Vice-Presidentbutnotpriortothatperiod. [Section 4 of 1952 Act]

ElectionScheduleandcommencementoftheelectionprocess

2.2 Theelectionprocess formallycommenceswiththe issueofNotificationbythe ElectionCommissioncallingtheelectionunderSection-4ofthePresidentialand Vice-PresidentialElectionsAct,1952.IntheNotification,theCommissionspecifies thedatesforthevariousstagesoftheelectionprocess.Thelastdateformaking nominationforthePresidentialandVice-Presidentialelectionshallbethe14th dayafterthedateofnotificationofelection.Ifthe14thdayhappenstobeapublic holiday,thenextdaywhichisnotapublicholidaywouldbethelastdateformaking nominations. The scrutiny of nominationswould be on the nextworking day followingthelastdateformakingnominations.Thelastdateforwithdrawalof candidaturewouldbetheseconddayafterthedateofscrutiny,andifthatday happenstobeapublicholiday,thenextworkingday.Thedateofpollwouldbe on or after the 15th day after the last date of withdrawal of candidatures. [Section 4 of 1952 Act] ReturningOfficer

2.3 TheCommissionappointsaReturningOfficertoconducttheelectiontotheoffice of President, similarly for the Vice-President also. The law provides that the ReturningOfficershallbeanofficerwithhisofficeinNewDelhiandtheappointment istobemadebytheCommissioninconsultationwiththeCentralGovt.Forsuch consultation, the Commission writes to theMinistry of Law & Justice well in advance(aboutsixmonthspriortothedateofexpiryofterm). Byconvention SecretaryGeneralofLokSabhaandSecretaryGeneralofRajyaSabhaareappointed as ReturningOfficer, alternately, on rotationbasis. The formal consent of the Speakerof LokSabhaorChairmanofRajyaSabha,as thecasemaybe, isalso obtainedforappointingtheSecretaryGeneraloftheHouseastheReturningOfficer.

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AssistantReturningOfficers

2.4 In addition, the Commission also appoints the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs)inNewDelhiandalsoineachStatecapitalandinPuducherryandNCTof DelhiforassistingtheReturningOfficerintakingthepollintheStatecapitals.By convention,theSecretaryoftheLegislativeAssembly ineachStateandNCTof DelhiandPuducherryarenormallyappointedasAROsintheStates.UnderSection-3 ofthe1952Act,AssistantReturningOfficersarecompetenttoperformanyofthe functionsoftheReturningOfficer,subjecttotheprovisionsoftheAct. [Section 3 of 1952 Act]

2.5 AsperRule9ofthePresidentialandVice-PresidentialElectionsRules,1974,the Returning Officer conducts the poll in the Parliament House and the AROs appointedintheStatesconductpollintheirrespectivelegislativeassemblypremises. Fortheconductofpoll,theReturningOfficerandtheAssistantReturningOfficers actasthePresidingOfficerintheplaceofpoll.

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CHAPTER-IIINominationofCandidates

PublicNotice

3.1 OnthedateofissueofelectionnotificationbytheCommission,theROisrequired toissueapublicnoticeofelectioninForm-1appendedtothe1974Rulesbysuch meansandinsuchplacesastheCommissionmaydirect.Thisnoticementions, amongothers,theplaceatwhichnominationpaperscanbefiled,thelastdateof filingnominations,dateofscrutinyofnominationsanddateofpoll.Asperthe Commission’s directions, the public notice is required to be published in the GazetteofIndiainHindiandEnglishandrepublishedintheGazetteofeachState andUTinthelanguageinwhichstatutorynotificationsintherespectiveState/UT arepublished.Copyofthepublicnoticehastobeputuponthenoticeboardin theofficeoftheReturningOfficerandeveryAssistantReturningOfficer.Publicity isalsorequiredtobegiventothepublicnoticethroughAllIndiaRadio,Doordarshan fromNewDelhiandfromallStateCapitalandalsothroughotherelectronicand printmedia.

Form1isannexedheretoasAnnexure 3.

EligibilityforcontestingPresidentialelection

3.2 Article58oftheConstitutionlaysdownthefollowingqualificationsforaperson contestingelectiontotheofficeofPresident:-

(a)shouldbecitizenofIndia,

(b)shouldhavecompleted35yearsofage(onthedateofscrutinyofnominations),

(c)shouldbequalifiedforelectionasMemberofLokSabha.

Clause(2)ofArticle58providesthatapersonholdinganyofficeofprofitunder theGovt.of Indiaor Govt.ofanyStateorunderany localorotherauthority subject to the control of govt. is not eligible for election as President. The Explanationtoclause(2)ofArticle58clarifiesthatholdingtheofficeofPresident, Vice-President, Governor, or Minster at theUnion or State level shall not be deemedtobeofficeofprofitforthispurpose.

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Vice-Presidentialelection

3.3 Thefollowingaretheeligibilityconditionsforcandidatecontestingelectiontothe officeofVice-President:

(a)shouldbecitizenofIndia,

(b)shouldhavecompleted35yearsofage,

(c)shouldbequalifiedforelectionasMemberofRajyaSabha.

3.4 Clause(2)ofArticle58andclause(4)ofArticle66,providesthatapersonholding anyofficeofprofitundertheGovt.ofIndiaorGovt.ofanyStateorunderany localorotherauthoritysubjecttothecontrolofgovt.isnoteligibleforelectionas President.TheExplanationtoclause(2)ofArticle58andclause(4)ofArticle66 clarifiesthatholdingtheofficeofPresident,Vice-President,Governor,orMinster attheUnionorStatelevelshallnotbedeemedtobeofficeofprofitforthispurpose.

3.5 Asperclause(1) (c )underArticle58 andunderclause(3)(c )ofArticle66,as mentionedabove,thecandidateshouldbequalifiedforelectionasMemberof LokSabha/RajyaSabha.QualificationsforelectionasMemberofLokSabhaand Rajya Sabha have been laid down in Article 84 of the Constitution readwith Sections3and4oftheRepresentationofthePeopleAct,1951.AsperArticle84, qualificationsforbeingchosenasmemberofParliamentarethatthecandidate shouldbecitizenofIndia,shouldhavecompleted25yearsofageforelectionto LokSabhaand30yearsforRajyaSabha,andsubscribeoath/affirmationbeforea competentauthorityintheprescribedform,andshouldpossesssuchotherquali ficationsasmaybeprescribedundertheLaw.Theonlyadditionalqualification prescribedundertheLawismentionedinSections3and4oftheRepresentation of thePeopleAct,1951,whichwouldbeapplicablehere is that thecandidate shouldbeenrolledasanelectorinanyParliamentaryConstituencyinthecountry. As regards oath/affirmation mentioned in Article 84, the Supreme Court has clarifiedinBaburaoPatelvsDr.ZakirHussain(AIR1968SC904)thatacandidate forelectiontotheofficeofPresidentisnotrequiredtosubscribeoath/affirmation. Itwasheldthatnoformforoath/affirmationbycandidateforPresidentialelection has been prescribed in the Third Schedule to the Constitution. Thus, the only additionalqualificationcoveredunderclause(1)(c)ofArticle58andclause(3) (c)ofArticle66wouldbethatthecandidateshouldbeanelectorinany ParliamentaryConstituency.

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FilingofNomination

3.6 NominationhastobefiledintheformatinForm2appendedtothe1974Rules inthecaseofPresidentialelectionandinForm3forVice-Presidentialelection. ItcanbefiledbeforetheReturningOfficereitherbythecandidatehimself,orby anyoftheproposersorsecondersofthecandidate.Ithastobefiledattheplace specifiedbytheReturningOfficerinthepublicnotice,between11AMand3PM. Nominationcannotbefiledonapublicholiday.[Section 5B of 1952 Act]

Form2andForm3aregiveninAnnexures 4 and 5respectively.

ProposersandSeconders

3.7 NominationpaperforPresidentialelectionisrequiredtobesubscribedbyatleast 50 electors as proposers and another 50 electors as Seconders. Electors here meanelectorsforthePresidentialelection,i.e.electedMembersofParliament orelectedMembersofLegislativeAssemblieswhoareincludedintheElectoral College.PrintedcopyoftheElectoralCollegeisprovidedbytheCommissionand these copies are also made available for sale and also displayed on the ECI website[www.eci.nic.in}totheReturningOfficer.TheElectionCommissionalso furnishes to theReturningOfficer thespecimensignaturesofall themembers ofElectoralCollegesothattheReturningOfficercanverifythesignaturesaffixed onthenominationpaperbyproposersandseconders.

ForVice-Presidentialelection,thenumberofProposersandSecondersis20each. TheyshouldbeelectorsfortheVice-Presidentialelection,i.e.MembersofParliament (includingthenominatedmembers).

It is importanttonotethatonepersoncannotsubscribeeitherasproposeror secondermorethanonenominationpaper.Section5B(5)ofthe1952Actprovides thatifapersonsubscribesmorethanonenominationpaper,eitherasproposeror seconder,itwillbetreatedasvalidonlyforthepurposesofthenominationpaper firstdeliveredtotheReturningOfficer.Inthecaseofanyothernominationpaper which the sameperson subscribes as proposer or seconder, his signature as proposer/seconder shall be inoperative. In such caseswhere the sameelector subscribesmore thanonenominationpaper as proposeror seconder,what is crucial is whichofthosenominationpapers isfirstdeliveredtotheReturning Officer and not which nomination paper was first signed by such elector as proposer/seconder.In(MithileshKumarSinhaVs.ReturningOfficerforPresidential Election–AIR1993SC20), beforetheHon’bleSupremeCourt, thepetitioner hadcontendedthatsomeproposersandsecondersonhisnominationpaperhad signedonhisnominationpaperbeforetheysignedonthenominationofanother candidate, and therefore, their signatures on his nomination paper should be

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accepted. TheSupremeCourt rejected thecontentionandheld that the right of an elector to sponsor a candidate is exhausted themoment a nomination papersubscribedbyhimisdeliveredtotheReturningOfficer.

Onecandidatemayfileamaximumoffournominationpapers.Incaseswhere acandidatefilesmorethanonenominationpaper,he/shewouldrequireseparate setof100or40proposersandsecondersforeachnominationpaperforPresidential election and separate set of twenty proposers and twenty seconders for each nominationpaperforVice-Presidentialelection,

Certifiedcopyofelectoralroll

3.8 Alongwiththenominationpaper,certifiedextractoftheentriesrelatingtothe candidate in the electoral roll of the Parliamentary Constituency inwhich the candidateisenrolledaselector,isrequiredtobefiled.Itmayberecalledthatone ofthequalificationsspecifiedforthecandidateisthatheshouldbeanelectorin anyParliamentaryConstituency.

3.9 Ifthenominationpaperofanycandidateisnotaccompaniedbythecertifiedcopy oftheentriesintheelectoralrollrelatingtothecandidate,provisionsofsub-section (4)ofSection5Bofthe1952Actmandatethatsuchnominationpapershallbe rejectedstraightawayatthestageoffilingofnominationpaperitself.Insuchcase, theReturningOfficershallrecordabriefnotetothiseffectonthenomination paperitself,andinformthepersonwhofiledthenominationpaperaccordingly. Similaractionisrequiredtobetakeninthecaseofnominationpapersreceived after3PMonthelastdateformakingnominations.Thenominationpapersso rejectedatthefilingstage itselfwillnotbetakenupatthetimeofscrutinyof nominations.[Section5Bof1952Act]

3.10 Whenanominationpaperisfiled,theReturningOfficershalltakethefollowing actions:-

(i) Giveaserialnumbertothenominationpaperstartingfrom`1’withrunning serialnumbersforthesubsequentnominationpapersthatmaybefiled,

(ii) Enter thedateandtimeofpresentationofnominationpaperandsign thereon,

(iii) Also enter on thenominationpaper thenameof thepersonwhohas presentedthatnominationpaper,i.e.,candidate/proposer/seconder.

(iv) Fillupthereceiptofnominationpaperandnoticeofscrutinyasperthe lastpartofthenominationpaperandhandoverthesametotheperson filingthenominationpaper,

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(v) DisplayonthenoticeboardoftheReturningOfficeracopyofthenomination paper.

SecurityDeposit

3.11 TheamountofsecuritydepositforPresidentialandVice-Presidentialelectionsis Rs.15,000/-.ThesecuritydepositcanbemadewiththeReturningOfficerin cashatthetimeoffilingofnominationpaper.Alternatively,theamountcanbe depositedintheRBIorinaGovt.Treasurypriortofilingofnominationpaperand thereceiptthereofshallbefiledalongwiththenominationpaper.Thedepositin RBI/Treasury is required to bemade under the relevant Head of Account for PresidentialandVice-Presidentialelection.[Section 5C of 1952 Act].

3.12 If a candidate filesmore than one set of nomination paper, separate security deposit isnotrequired inrespectofeachset.Securitydeposit isrequiredonly oncewhichshouldbemadeatthetimeoffilingofthefirstset.

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CHAPTER-IVScrutinyofNominations

Date,PlaceandTimeofScrutiny

4.1 ThedateforscrutinyofnominationsisfixedbytheElectionCommissioninthe schedule of elections notified by it (see para 2-2). As regards the time of commencement of scrutiny and the place for scrutiny, it is for the Returning Officertodecidethesame.Theseshouldbedecidedwellinadvance,beforethe dateof notificationof electionas thedetails in this regard are required tobe intimatedbytheReturningOfficerinthepublicnoticeandalsotothecandidate/ personfilingthenominationatthetimeofpresentationofnominationpaper.

4.2 TheReturningOfficershalltakeupthescrutinyofnominationsattheappointed date, time and place. On behalf of a candidate, the candidate himself, one proposeror seconderandanotherpersondulyauthorisedby thecandidate in writing,areentitledtobepresentatthetimeofscrutiny.Thus,onbehalfofone candidate,amaximumofthreepersonsincludingthecandidateareallowedtobe present.

4.3 Thepersonsattendingthescrutinyhavetherighttoexaminenominationpapers andotherdocumentsofanycandidate.However,theyshouldnotbeallowedto handle the papers. During scrutiny, the ReturningOfficer shall dealwith and decideallobjections thatmaybe raisedwith regard toanynominationpaper. The ReturningOfficermay raise any objection, suomotu also. The Returning Officerhastodecideanyobjectionthatmayberaisedinrelationtoanynomination paper by conducting summary enquiry. In cases where objection is raised in relationtoanominationpaper,andtheReturningOfficerasksfortheresponse ofthecandidate,ifthecandidateconcernedrequestsforgrantoftimeforrebutting theobjectiontheReturningOfficershallgranthimtimetorebutitnotlaterthan thenextdatebutonefollowingthedateofscrutinyandadjournthescrutinyin respectof such candidateasper theproviso to sub-section (6)of Section-5E. However,inthecaseoftheothercandidates,thescrutinyshallbecontinuedand concludedasperoriginalschedule.Inthecaseofthecandidatewhosescrutiny proceedingsareadjourned,theReturningOfficerwilltakedecisionafterconsidering theevidencethatmaybeadducedbythecandidateinreplytotheobjection.

GroundsforRejectionofNomination

4.4 Nominationmayberejectedonanyofthefollowinggrounds:-

(i) Onthedatefixedforscrutinyofnominations,thecandidateisnoteligible forelectionasPresident/Vice-President,

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(ii) Nominationpaperisnotsubscribedbytheprescribednumberofproposers orseconders,

(iii) Anyoftheproposers/secondersisnotqualifiedtosubscribenomination paperasproposers/seconders.

(iv) Signatureofcandidateoranyoftheproposersorsecondersisnotgenuine,

(v) TherehasbeenfailuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionsofSections5B (presentationofnominationpaperandrequirementsofvalidnomination) or5C(securitydeposit).

4.5 Nominationpapershallnotberejectedforanydefectwhichisnotofasubstantial character.Inthecaseofacandidatewhofilesmorethanonesetofnomination papers, theReturningOfficershall scrutiniseall thenominationpaperseven if thefirstonetakenupforscrutinyisfoundvalidandaccepted.Insuchcases,if onesetofnominationpaperisacceptedonbeingfoundtobecompleteandwithout any irregularity, the candidate becomes a duly nominated candidate even if irregularities are found in the other sets of nomination papers filed by him. [Section 5E of 1952 Act].TheReturningOfficermustrecordhisdecisionaccepting orrejectinganominationpaperoneachofthenominationpapers.Inthecaseof rejectionofnominationpaper,briefgroundofrejectionshallberecorded.

4.6 If anynominationpaperhasalreadybeen rejectedat thefiling stage itself for non-submission of certified entries of electoral roll details in respect of the candidate(undersub-section(4)ofSection5B),suchnominationpaperisnotto betakenupagainatthetimeofscrutiny.

4.7 Onconclusionofscrutinyproceedings,theReturningOfficershallpreparealist of validly nominated candidates, i.e. the candidates whose nominations have beenfoundvalidandaccepted.Copyofthislististobedisplayedonthenotice boardoftheReturningOfficer.

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CHAPTER-VWithdrawalofCandidature

5.1 AcandidatemaywithdrawhiscandidaturebysubmittingtotheReturningOfficera noticeintheprescribedform(Form-4appendedtothe1974Rules).Thenotice shouldbesignedbythecandidateandmaybesubmittedtotheReturningOfficer either by the candidate himself or by one of his proposers or seconders duly authorisedbythecandidate.Thatwouldmeanthatifthenoticeofwithdrawalis submitted by a proposer or seconder, then he has to also submit a written authorisation from the candidate for submitting thewithdrawalnotice. There isnoprescribedformatforsuchauthorisation.Itshouldstatethatthecandidate is authorising the proposer or seconder concerned to submit the withdrawal noticeofthecandidate.Form4isannexedasAnnexure- 6. [Section 6 of 1952 Act]

5.2 Whileonthelastdateforwithdrawalofcandidatures,thewithdrawalnoticehas tobesubmittedby3.00PM,thereisnoprescribedtimelimitforsubmittingthe noticeon thedateof scrutinyandon thenextday. Therefore,on thesedays, withdrawalnoticecanbesubmittedatanytimeduringtheusualworkinghoursof theofficeoftheReturningOfficer.

5.3 AwithdrawalnoticevalidlysubmittedtotheReturningOfficercannotbecancelled orrescinded.Itattainsfinalityonceitisvalidlysubmitted.Whenawithdrawal noticeissubmittedandtheReturningOfficerissatisfiedthattherequirements forvalidsubmissionofthesamearefulfilled,heisrequiredtogetacopyofthe noticedisplayedonthenoticeboardinhisoffice.

5.4 Aftertheperiodforwithdrawalofcandidaturesisover,ifonlyonevalidlynominated candidateremainsinthefray,theReturningOfficershallforthwithdeclarethat candidatetobeelectedtotheofficeofPresident,ortheVice-President,asthe casemaybe. Preparationoflistofcontestingcandidates

5.5 Iftherearemorethanonecontestingcandidateinthefield,theReturningOfficer shall preparea list of contesting candidateswhichwill contain thenamesand addressof the candidateswhosenominationswere found valid andaccepted, andwhohavenotwithdrawntheircandidature.Thislistisrequiredtobeprepared in Form-5 appended to the1974Rules, and thenamesof candidates shall be arrangedinalphabeticalorderaccordingtoDevnagariscript.Thislistisrequired to be published in the Gazette of India and also republished in the official GazettesofallStatesandUnionTerritories.Republishing in theStates/UTshas tobedoneinthelanguageorlanguagesinwhichthestatutorynotificationsofthe StateGovt./UTAdministrationarepublished.AcopyofthelistinForm5isalso

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requiredtobeputupontheNoticeBoardsoftheReturningOfficerandeachof theAssistantReturningOfficers. [Section 8 of 1952 Act]

CopyofForm5isannexedat Annexure 7.

DeathofCandidate

5.6 Ifacandidatewhosenominationisfoundvalidonscrutinyandhasnotwithdrawn hiscandidaturediesafterthetimefixedforfilingofnominations,andareport aboutthedeathisreceivedbytheReturningOfficerbeforecommencementof thepoll,theReturningOfficerisrequiredtoissueanordercountermandingthe pollandreportthefacttotheCommission.TheCommissionwillthentakefurther actiontocommencetheelectionproceedingsanewinallrespectsasifforanew election. However,acandidatewhowasavalidlynominatedcandidateat the time of countermanding of poll need not file a fresh nomination. Further, a candidatewhohaswithdrawnhiscandidatureisnoteligibletofilehisnomination again.[Section 7 of 1952 Act]

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CHAPTER-VIPreparationforPoll

PrintingofBallotPapers

6.1 InthecaseofacontestedPresidentialelection,theCommissionissuesdirections regarding the design, form and language of ballot papers and postal ballot papers.BallotPaperscontainacounterfoilonthetopportion.Onthecounterfoil, the serial number (which will be identical to the serial number of the ballot paper), thenameoftheelection,thedateofpollandcolumnforenteringthe serialnumberoftheelectorinthelistofelectors,willbeprinted.Theparticulars ontheballotpaperincludethenameofelection,dateofpoll,namesofcandidates andalsothevalueoftheballotpaperitrepresentsasperAnnexure-2.Therewill bespaceformarkingvoteagainst thenamesofcandidates.Theparticularson theballotpaperforMembersofParliamentwillbeprintedinHindiandEnglish, andontheballotpaper forMembersofLegislativeAssemblies, theparticulars will be in the languages specified in the direction issued by the Commission. Typically,theparticularsinthecaseofballotpapersforMLAsareintheofficial languageoftheStateandinEnglish.Theserialnumberoftheballotpaper(which will be identical to the serial numberof its counterfoil)will beprintedon the reversesideoftheballotpaper.BallotpapersmeantforMembersofParliament, areprintedongreenpaperinHindiandEnglish.TheballotpapersfortheMLAs areprintedonpinkpaper.

6.2 In the case of contested Presidential Election ballot paper forMLAs of Hindi speakingStates,viz.,ArunachalPradesh,Bihar,Chhattisgarh,Haryana,Himachal Pradesh,Jharkhand,MadhyaPradesh,Meghalaya,Mizoram,Nagaland,Rajasthan, Uttarakhand,UttarPradeshandNCTofDelhithesameareprintedinHindiand English. The printing of the ballot papers for these States is arranged by the CommissionitselfandisdoneinDelhi.InthecaseoftheremainingStates,the ballotpapersforMLAsareprintedinEnglishandtheofficiallanguageoftheState. PrintingofballotpapersforsuchStatesisarrangedbytheChiefElectoralOfficer oftheStateconcerned.

Theserialnos.ofballotpapersareeffectivelyconcealedbypastingblackpaper slipsovertheminsuchawaythat, ifneeded,thesamemaybeascertainedby slightlyliftingthatpaperslip.

CollectionofBallotBoxesandElectionMaterials:-

6.3 AsperthedirectionoftheCommission,seniorofficersaretobedeputedbythe ChiefElectoralOfficersandbytheAssistantReturningOfficers intheStatesfor collectingtheBallotBox,BallotPapersandotherelectionmaterialsfortakingthe

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poll from the Commission’s Secretariat. The officers deputed for this purpose shallcarryanauthorizationletterfromtherespectiveChiefElectoralOfficerand AssistantReturningOfficer.TheChiefElectoralOfficershavetoissueinstructions to the State Bhawans/Sadans/Guest Houses located at New Delhi for proper securityandtransportofthematerialfromCommissiontotherespectiveBhawans, if theyarerequiredtobetakento the StateBhawan/GuestHouseand while travelling to Airport/Railway Stations. For this purpose, the CEOswillmake a detailed tour plan for such officials and intimate the Commission and their respectiveAROsandwillmakenecessarysecurityarrangementfromtheAirport/ RailwaysStationsattheirStateHQstotheplacesidentifiedforstorageofsuch material. AROs shall identify aproper room for the storageof ballot box and ballotmaterialswhichwillbeproperlysecuredandsealed.Wheresuchdeputed officialsaremovingbyroad/byRailways,thesecuritypersonnelshallbeattached withtheofficialsconcernedwhowouldtravelinthesamecar/trainthroughout thejourney.

SafeCustodyofElectionMaterial:-

6.4 OncetheofficialscarryingtheelectionmaterialreachStatecapital,theyshould bestraightawayescortedtotheplaceofstorageandtheballotboxes/material shallbedepositedintheidentifiedstorageroomandtheroomsealedinthepresence ofAROconcerned.TheCEOsshallensurethatthekeyofthestorageroomisin thecustodyofAROtilltheroomisopenedonthepolldayforcarryingtheballot box/materialtotheplaceofpoll.

InspectionofPlaceofPoll:-

6.5 TheChiefElectoralOfficerswillmakeavisittotherespectiveAssemblypremises toverifytheplaceofpollandseewhetherthearrangementshavebeenmade according to the instructions laid down by the Commission, particularly with respecttotheplacingofBallotBox.Theballotboxisrequiredtobeplacedinsuch aposition that if anyelector violates the secrecyof vote thePresidingOfficer shouldbe inapositiontotakebacktheballotpaperandcancel it.Thiswould meanthattheBallotBoxshouldbeplacedneartheTableofthePresidingOfficer. Specialattentionshouldalsobepaid toensure that theVotingCompartments havebeensetupandplacedinsuchamannerthattheelectorcanvoteintotal secrecy.Onbeingsatisfiedaboutthearrangementsattheplaceofpoll,allCEOs arerequiredtofurnishareporttotheCommission.

SupplyofInstrumentformarkingvote

6.6 Inordertomaintainsecrecyofvotingandtoavoididentificationofvoteratthe timeofcountingofvotesattheensuingPresidentialElection,theCommissionhas

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directed that each elector should be handed over personally by the Presiding Officer or an officer duly authorized by him a particular pen that would be suppliedbytheCommissionformarkinghispreferencesontheballotpaper.The pensosuppliedtotheelectorshallbetakenbackfromhimafterhehascasthis voteforsupplyingittothenextelector.Iftheelectorisalreadycarryinghisown pen,heshouldberequestedtokeepthepenwiththepollingofficialbeforegoing intothevotingcompartment.

6.7 IfthereareanyMembersofParliamentvotingintheStatecapital,thelistofsuch Membersalongwiththeballotpapersforsuchmemberswillbesuppliedtothe AssistantReturningOfficerbytheCommission.Similarly, if thereareanyMLAs votingintheParliamentHouse,State-wiselistandballotpapersmeantforMLAs oftherespectiveStateswillbesuppliedtotheReturningOfficer.TheReturning Officerand theAssistantReturningOfficers in the State capitals and theChief ElectoralOfficers should check inadvancewith theofficers in theCommission aboutsuchcasessothatthereisnoglitchonthedayofpoll.Therecouldalsobe cases, although very rare, of MLA of one State voting in the State capital in anotherState,inveryspecialcases.Insuchcasesalso,thelistalongwithballot paperfortheStateconcernedwillbesuppliedtotheAssistantReturningOfficer concerned.TheadvanceplanningbytheReturningOfficer,ChiefElectoralOfficers andAssistantReturningOfficersshouldspecificallycoverthesecases.

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CHAPTER-VIIPOLL

PlaceandhoursofPoll

7.1 PollforthePresidentialelectionistakenintheParliamentHouseinNewDelhi, andinthepremisesofeachoftheLegislativeAssembliesoftheStatesandNCTof Delhi and Puducherry. The exact locationof the Polling Station is fixedby the CommissionintermsofRule7ofthe1974Rules.TheCommissionalsofixesthe hoursofpollwhichnormallyarefixedfrom10AMto5PM. [Rule 7 of 1974 Rules]. InthecaseofVice-Presidentialelection,theplaceofpollisfixedintheParliament HouseinNewDelhi. [Rule 8 of 1974 Rules].

ListofElectorsvotingineachplace.

7.2 TheElectionCommissionpreparesthelistofelectorswhowouldbevotingin eachplaceofpoll.MembersofParliamentareexpectedtocasttheirvotesatthe PlaceofPollintheParliamentHouse,NewDelhi,andMembersofStateLegislative Assemblies are expected to vote at the respective StateCapital. However, on accountofanyspecialcircumstances,theMembersofParliamentcanvoteinany ofthepollingstationsintheStatecapital.Similarly,anyMLAmayvoteatNew Delhi insteadof voting in the respectiveStateCapitals. For thispurpose, the MPs/MLAsconcernedhavetoapply inadvancetotheElectionCommissionat least10daysbefore thedateofpoll. The requesthas tobemade ina format prescribed by the Commission for this purpose. The Returning Officer and AssistantReturningOfficersshallalsokeepcopiesofthis formatwiththemfor supplytoanyelectorwhomayseekthesame.

7.3 Basedontheapplicationsforvotinginadifferentplace,theElectionCommission willfurnishtotheReturningOfficerortheAssistantReturningOfficerconcerned thelistofthoseelectorswhowouldbevotingintheirplace.Ballotpapersforsuch electorswouldalsobesenttosuchplace.Thesewouldbesuppliedthroughthe authorizedrepresentativeswhoaredeputedtocollecttheBallotBoxesandBallot Papers.

Arrangementsintheplaceofpoll

7.4 Theplaceofpoll(pollingstation)wouldhavealreadybeenfixedbytheCommission. The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers should ensure that all necessaryarrangementsareput inplace intheroom/hallfixedforpoll.Atthe outset,itshouldbeensuredthatallessentialelectionmaterialsincludingballot box(es),ballotpapers,listofelectorsvotinginthatplace,penformarkingvotes, etc.havealreadyarrived.

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7.5 Since electors can be admitted in the polling station only in limited numbers, thereshouldbearrangementsmadeinanadjacentroomforthewaitingelectors tositcomfortably.

7.6 TheReturningOfficeractsas thePresidingOfficerat thePollingStation in the ParliamentHouse.Similarly,theAssistantReturningOfficersappointedinState capitalswillactasthePresidingOfficerintherespectivepollingstationsinthe LegislativeAssemblypremises,andshallberesponsibleforconductingpollinthe respectivepollingstations.[Rule9of1974Rules].

Personstobeallowedentryinthepollingstation

7.7 Thefollowingpersonsalonecanbeallowedtoenterthepollingstation:-

(a) electors,

(b) Pollingofficialsandotherpublicservantsondutyinconnectionwiththe election,

(c) candidates,andonerepresentativeauthorizedbyeachforcandidatein writing,

(d) personsauthorizedbytheCommission,and

(e) suchotherpersonsasthePresidingOfficermayadmitforassistinghimin takingpoll.[Rule 13 of 1974 Rules].

Commencementofpoll

7.8 Poll will commence at the hour fixed by the Election Commission. Before the commencementofpoll,thePresidingOfficeisrequiredtoallowthecandidatesor theirauthorizedrepresentativestoexaminetheemptyBallotBox.Thereafter,the PresidingOfficershallsealtheBallotBoxinsuchawaythattheslitoftheBallot Box meant for inserting the ballot papers remains open. If any candidate or authorizedrepresentativewantstoaffixhisseal,theyshouldalsobepermittedto doso.[Rule 12 of 1974 Rules].

Secrecyofvote

7.9 TheConstitutionhasexpresslyprovidedthatelectionstotheofficesofPresident andVice-Presidentshallbebysecretballot.Therefore,theelectorsareexpected toscrupulouslymaintainsecrecyofvote.Thereisnoconceptofopenvotingat theseelectionsandshowingtheballottoanyoneunderanycircumstancesinthe

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caseofPresidentialandVice-Presidentialelectionsistotallyprohibited.Voting procedure laiddown inthe1974Rulesprovidesthataftermarkingthevote in the Voting Compartment, the elector is required to fold the ballot paper and insert it in the Ballot Box. Any violation of the voting procedure will entail cancellationoftheballotpaperbythePresidingOfficer.

7.10 ItisasettledpositionthatpoliticalpartiescannotissueanywhiptotheirMPsand MLAsinthematterofvotinginthePresidentialelection.

Identificationofelectors

7.11 TheCommissionhasissuedinstructionsthatinthecaseofLegislativeAssemblies whichmaintaindatabaseofelectedmemberswiththeirphotographs,theAssistant Returning Officer of the State concerned may prepare a reference document containingthenameoftheelector,hisserialnumberinthelistofelectorsandthe photoimage(obtainedfromthealreadyexistingdatabase).Whiletheremaynot be any necessity to verify the identity of the MLAs personally known to the Presiding Officer, the reference document may be used for identifying newly electedmembersbeforeissuingballotpaper.Ifthephotographisnotavailablein the data base, then the member concerned may be requested to show the identificationcardissuedbytheAssembly.IncaseswherethePresidingOfficer ispersonallysatisfiedabouttheidentityoftheelector,itisnotnecessarytoinsist onproductionofidentitydocument.IncaseswhereMLAofoneStatevotesin anotherStatecapital,he/sheshallhavetoproducetheidentificationcardissued byhisLegislativeAssembly.

TheaboveinstructionsalsoapplywithregardtothepolltakenintheParliament House.

Issueofballotpapers

7.12 TheCommissionhasdirectedthatthePresidingOfficershallsignonthereverse sideoftheBallotPaperpriortoissueofthesametotheelectors.Thesignature willbeon theright topcornerpart.Belowthesignature, thePresidingOfficer shallalsoaffixhisseal.Thisistoensurethatnooneputsanyspuriousballotpaper intheBallotBox.ItmaybenotedthattheSerialNumberoftheBallotPaperprinted onthereversesidewouldbeconcealedbyablackstrip.Whilesigningandaffixing the seal of Presiding Officer, it should be ensured that the black strip is not disturbed.

Whenanelectorcomestothepollingstation,thePollingOfficerin-chargeofthe listofelectorsshallmakeatick(•)markagainstthenameoftheelectorinthe listandobtainthesignatureoftheelectoragainsthisnameinthelistofelectors.

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ThePollingOfficerin-chargeoftheballotpapersshallenterinthecounterfoilof theballotpapertheserialnumberoftheelectorasperthelistofelectors.The counterfoil shall thenbedetached from theballotpaperand theballotpaper shallbehandedovertotheelector.Atthispointoftime,thespecialpensupplied from theCommission formarkingvote shall alsobegiven to theelector. The electorshouldberemindedtoensurethatmarkingofvoteisdoneonlywiththe specialpenthathasbeensupplied. If theelector iscarryinghisownpen, the officialin-chargeofdistributingpenshouldrequesttheelectortoleavehispen withhim(theofficial)beforegoingintothevotingcompartment.Aftertheelector has voted and come out of the voting compartment, the officialwill take the specialpenbackfromtheelector.

MannerofVoting

7.13 PresidentialandVice-Presidentialelectionsareheldinaccordancewiththesystem ofproportionalrepresentationbymeansofsingletransferablevote.Inthissystem, theelectorhastomarkthevotebygivingpreference(s)forthecandidates.Every electorcanmarkasmanypreferencesas thenumberofcandidatescontesting theelection.Thesepreferencesforthecandidatesaretobemarkedbytheelector, by placing thefigures 1,2,3, and so on, against the namesof the candidates, in theorderofhispreference, in thespaceprovided incolumn2of theballot paper.ThepreferencescanbeindicatedininternationalformofIndiannumerals orintheform,usedinanyIndianlanguageorinRomanformbutthepreferences cannotbeindicatedinwords,like,one,two,firstpreference,secondpreference, etc.[ Rule 17 of the 1974 Rules].

Theinstructionsforvotingareprintedontheballotpaper.Ifanyelectorseeks assistance regarding the instructions, the PresidingOfficer shall explain to the electortheinstructionscontainedontheballotpaper.Theseinstructionsshould alsobeprominentlydisplayed,intheformofaprintedposterinthepollingstation.

7.14 Theprocedureforvotingandmaintenanceofsecrecywithinpollingstationhas beenprovidedinRule18.ThesaidRuleisreproducedbelow:-

18.Maintenanceofsecrecyofvotingbyelectorswithinplaceofpollingandvoting procedure.—(1)Everyelectortowhomaballotpaperhasbeendeliveredunder rule14shallmaintainsecrecyofvotingwithintheplaceofpollingandforthat purposeobservethevotingprocedurehereinafterlaiddown.

(2) Anelectoronreceivingtheballotpapershallforthwith—

(a) proceedtooneofthevotingcompartments;

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(b) recordhisvoteinaccordancewithsub-rule(2)ofrule17;

(c) foldtheballotpapersoastoconcealhisvote;

(d) insertthefoldedballotpaperintotheballotbox:and

(e) quittheplaceofpolling.

(3) Everyelectorshallvotewithoutunduedelay.

(4) Noelectorshallbeallowedtoenteravotingcompartmentwhenanother electorisinsideit.

7.15 The Commission has issued directions under Articles 324 and 55(3) of the ConstitutionreadwiththeabovementionedRule18thatifanelectortowhom ballotpaperhasbeenissuedrefusestoobeytheprocedurelaiddowninRule18, evenafterwarninggivenbythePresidingOfficerto followthedueprocedure, thenthePresidingOfficeroraPollingOfficerunderthedirectionsofthePresiding Officershalltakebacktheballotpaperfromsuchelectorandcancelthesameand sealitinaseparatecover.Nofreshballotpaperistobeissuedtosuchelector.

VotingbyIlliterateordisabledelector

7.16 Ifanelectorisunabletoreadorunabletorecordvoteduetoilliteracyorblindness oranyphysicaldisabilityoronaccountofnotbeingconversantwiththelanguage inwhichballotpaperisprintedandseeksassistanceforvoting,thePresidingOfficer shall recordthevoteontheballotpaper inaccordancewiththewishesof the elector.ThePresidingOfficershallmarkthevoteinthevotingcompartmentin thepresenceoftheelector.Thereafter,theballotpaperwillbefoldedandputin theballotboxasintheothercases.ThePresidingOfficerisrequiredtomaintain secrecyofsuchvoteandalsokeeparecordofsuchcases(Rule19).

Provisionforsupplyoffreshballotpaper

7.17 InRule15ofthe1974Rules,thereisaprovisionforsupplyingafreshballotpaper toanelectorwhowasalreadygivenaballotpaperearlier.Afreshballotpaper canonlybesuppliedifbyinadvertenthandlingoftheballotpaper,thesamehas beenrenderedinaconditionthat itcannotbeusedasaballotpaper. Insuch situation,ontherequestoftheelector,thePresidingOfficeronbeingsatisfiedof theinadvertenceonthepartoftheelectormaysupplyafreshballotpapertothe elector.Theoriginallysuppliedballotpaperanditscounterfoilshallbemarked as cancelled and the same shall be kept in a separate envelope onwhich the entries`cancelledunderRule15(1)’shallbemade.

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7.18 Ifanelectordecidesnottovoteafterobtainingtheballotpaperfollowingallthe proceduralrequirements,heshallreturntheballotpapertothePresidingOfficer who shall keep it in a separate envelope after making entries `returned and cancelled’ on the ballot paper. On the envelope, the entries `ballot paper returnedunderRule16’shouldbemade.

VotingbyMLAsofotherStates

7.19 IfthereareMembersofParliament,voting intheStatecapital, the listofsuch Membersand theballotpapers forMPswouldhavebeenalready suppliedby theCommissiontotheAssistantReturningOfficerintheStatecapitalasdiscussed inthepreviousChapter.SimilarlyfortheMLAsofotherStates.

7.20 AsregardstheMembersofParliament,itshouldbeensuredthattheballotpaper meantforMPsisissuedtothem.TheirsignatureshallbetakenonthelistofMPs supplied.Intheircase,nootherspecialprecautionisrequiredtobetakenasthe colouroftheballotpaperisdifferentfromthecolourofballotpapersforMLAs andthevalueofvotesofalltheMPsisthesame.SuchMembersofParliament, aftercastingtheirvoteswillputtheballotpaperintheballotboxasinthecaseof theMLAsofthatState.

7.21 However, if there isanyMLAofadifferentStatevoting in theStatecapitalon specialpermission,anadditionalprecautionisrequiredtobetakenintheircase in thatafter theymark theirvoteand fold theballotpaper, themarkedballot papershallbeplacedinsideanenvelopeofbrowncolour,andthenameofthe StatetowhichsuchMLAbelongsshouldbewrittenbythePresidingOfficeron theenvelope,withoutmentioningthenameoftheMLA.Thisistofacilitatetaking outtheballotpaperandseparatingitfromotherballotpaperstobeputalong withtheballotpapersoftheStateconcernedatthetimeofcounting.Inthecase ofsuchMLAsalso,itgoeswithoutsayingthatthelistcontainingtheirnames,and ballotpaper(s)fortheStateconcernedwouldhavebeenalreadysuppliedtothe AssistantReturningOfficerconcerned.

7.22 Similarly,inthecaseoftheMLAsvotingintheParliamentHousealso,thesame procedureasexplainedaboveshallbefollowed.

CloseofPoll

7.23 ThePresidingOfficershallclosethepollatthehourfixedforcloseofpoll.However, itshallbeensuredthatall theelectorswhohavealreadyreachedtheplaceof pollatthetimefixedforcloseofpollshallbeallowedtovoteevenifpollingmay have to continue beyond the polling hours for this purpose. If electors have already arrived and waiting for voting at the hour fixed for close of poll, the

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PresidingOfficershalldistributeseriallynumberedslipstosuchelectorsandall whohavebeengivensuchslipsshouldbeallowedtovote.However,ifanelector comesafterthehourfixedforcloseofpoll,hecannotbeallowedtovote.Therefore, in cases where slips are distributed to electors waiting to vote, it should be ensuredthatslipisnotgiventoapersoncomingafterthehourfixedforcloseof poll,andonlythosewhoarecarryingslipsareallowedtovoteinsuchcases.

7.24 Afterallvotershavevoted,thePresidingOfficershallclosetheslitoftheballot boxandsealtheballotboxinthepresenceofthecandidatesortheirauthorised representativeswhomaybepresentatthetime.ThesealedBallotBoxshallthen beplaced insidethewoodenboxwhich is thecasefortheBallotBox,andthe woodenboxshallalsobelockedandsealed.

7.25 ThePresidingOfficershallthenpreparetheballotpaperaccountinForm6and giveacopyofthesametotheauthorisedrepresentativesofthecandidates.The Commissionhasdirected that separateballotpaperaccountshallbeprepared foreachcategoryofelectors, i.e. (i) electorsnormallyassigned to cast vote in thatpollingstation,(ii)MPscastingvoteinthatpollingstation(inStateCapitals) withtheCommissionpermission,and(iii)MLAsofotherStates,ifany,votingin thatpollingstationwiththeCommission’sspecialpermission.FormatofForm6 isannexedatAnnexure 8.

7.26 ThePresidingOfficerisrequiredtomakeforseparatepacketsof(a)thecopyof thelistofelectorsusedforthepolling;(b)counterfoilsoftheballotpapers;(c)the ballotpaperscancelledunderRule15and16;and(d)theunusedballotpapers. ThesepacketsshouldbesealedwiththesealofthePresidingOfficerandifany candidateorauthorisedrepresentativedesirestoaffixtheirsealsonthepackets, theyshouldbepermittedtodoso.

DispatchofBallotBoxesandotherPaperstoNewDelhi

7.27 After completionof poll and theother relatedworkasexplainedabove, the Assistant Returning Officers in the State Capitals shall make arrangements to end thesealedballotbox(es)and theotherpapers to theReturningOfficer in ParliamentHouse,NewDelhi,bythefastestandtheearliestmeans.TheChief ElectoralOfficersandAssistantReturningOfficersshouldhavetiedupthelogistic issuesfortransportofthematerialwiththeAirlinesauthorities.Theballotbox(es) and the other papers have to be carried toNewDelhi by Assistant Returning Officersorbyofficers authorisedbyhimfor thepurpose. Incaseswherethe materialsarebroughttoNewDelhibyAir,theyshallbecarriedalongwiththe authorisedofficersinthecabinandtheballotbox(es)shouldnotbebookedin thecheck-inluggage. TheCommissionalsowritestotheAirportauthoritiesto facilitate carrying of the ballot box(es) in the cabin. The Assistant Returning

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OfficerandtheChiefElectoralOfficershouldalsospecificallytakeupthismatter withtheAirlinestoensurethatthereisnohindranceinthisregard.TheCommission alsowritestotheMinistryofHomeAffairsregardingprovidingsecurityforthe road journey of the officers carrying the ballot boxes from the Airport to the ParliamentHouse.Similarly,intheStateCapitals,theChiefElectoralOfficerand Assistant ReturningOfficer should ensure that the journey from theAssembly SecretariattotheAirportisundertakenwithnecessaryPoliceprotection.There cannotbeanycompromisewiththesecurityoftheballotboxandothermaterials.

7.28 Thereshouldbedesignatedofficerstoreceivetheballotboxesandthepapersin the ParliamentHouse inNewDelhi, designatedby theReturningOfficer. The nameandcontactdetailsoftheofficerauthorisedtoreceivetheballotboxshould be communicated in advance to the Assistant Returning Officers in the State Capitals.TheAssistantReturningOfficershouldintimatetothedesignatedofficer concerned in the ParliamentHouse the travel plans of the authorised officers carryingtheballotboxandotherpapers.Theofficersshouldalsobeincontact witheachotherforsmoothdeliveryandcustodyoftheballotbox.

7.29 The Chief Electoral Officers of each State including NCT of Delhi and UT of PuducherryshallsuperviseandcoordinatewiththeAssistantReturningOfficers soastoensuresmoothconductofpollattherespectiveStateCapitalsandfor printingofballotpapersandforall logisticissuessuchasarrangementsinthe placeofpoll,transportoftheballotboxesandotherimportantdocumentsfrom theElectionCommissiontotherespectiveStateCapitalsandbacktoNewDelhi afterthepoll.

7.30 If it is not possible to send the Ballot Box toNewDelhi on the same day for non-availabilityofFlight,theAssistantReturningOfficerandtheChiefElectoral OfficeroftheStateshallmakespecialarrangementstostorethesealedBallotBox andtheotherpapers inasecurestrongroomintheAssemblySecretariat.The authorizedagentsofthecandidatesshouldbeinformedaboutthisarrangement inadvanceandthestrongroomintheBallotBoxandthepapersarestoredshould besealedinthepresenceoftheauthorizedagentsofthecandidates.Iftheywant toputtheirsealsalso,thatshouldbepermitted.Thewholeprocessofstoringthe materials and sealing of the room should be video-graphed. The authorized agentsshouldbeinformedaboutthetimeatwhichtheroomwillbeopenedon thenextdayfortakingouttheBallotBoxandothermaterialstobetakentoNew Delhi,andtheyshouldberequestedtobepresentatthetimeofopeningofthe strongroom.

PostalBallotPaper

7.31 An electorwho is subjected to preventivedetentionunder any law is entitled

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tocastvotebypostalballotpaper.Insuchcases,theElectionCommissionsends postalballotpapertotheelectorconcernedalongwithaformatofdeclarationof identityoftheelectorandenvelopesforreturningtheballotpaperaftermarking vote.Aletterofinstructionstotheelectorisalsosenttotheelector.

7.32 Other thananelectoronpreventivedetention,nootherelector isentitled for postalballotpaper.

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CHAPTER-VIIICountingofVotesandDeclarationofResult

PlaceandTimeforcountingofvotes 8.1 CountingofvotesforPresidentialandVice-Presidentialelectionsshalltakeplace intheofficeoftheReturningOfficerinNewDelhi.InthecaseofthePresidential elections,theBallotBoxesandotherpapersarebroughtfromallStatestothe ParliamentHouseinNewDelhi,andstoredinsecurecondition.TheCommission fixesthedateandtimeofcommencementofcountingofvotesandgivesnotice tothecontestingcandidatesaboutthedateandtimefixedforcounting.While givingsuchnotice,thelocationofthehall/roominwhichcountingwillbedone willalsobeintimatedtothecontestingcandidates. [Rule 27 of the 1974 Rules]

Personswhocanbeallowedentryinthecountinghall

8.2 TheReturningOfficershallallowentryonlytothefollowingpersonsinthecounting hall:-

(a) The contesting candidates and one authorized representative of each candidate (authorizationof therepresentativeshouldbemadeby the candidateinwriting),

(b) PersonswhomtheROmayappointtoassistinthecounting,

(c) Publicservantsondutyinconnectionwiththeelection,and (d) PersonsauthorizedbytheCommission.

[Rule 28 of the 1974 Rules]

8.3 Onthedayofcounting,thesealedBallotBoxesandthePacketscontainingthe BallotPaperAccount(Form6)willbetakenoutfromthestoragehall/strongroom. Thecandidatesandtheirauthorizedrepresentativesshallbeallowedtowatchthe processofopeningthestrongroomfortakingouttheBallotBoxesandtheBallot PaperAccountsinForm6.

8.4 Beforecommencementofcounting,theReturningOfficerisrequiredtoreadout theprovisionsofSection22ofthe1952Act(regardingmaintenanceofsecrecyof voting)tothepersonspresentinthecountinghall.

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8.5 TheReturningOfficerwouldalreadyhaveinformationaboutthepollingstations where some electors have voted at places other than the places where they were normally expected to vote, i.e. the State Capitals in whichMembers of Parliament andMembers of LegislativeAssemblies of other States have voted onspecialpermissiongrantedbytheCommission. Intheballotboxesofsuch polling stations, therewould be votes of other categories of electors also, i.e. votesofMPsandMLAsofotherStates(inthecaseofStateCapitalsandvotes ofMLAsinthecaseofpollingstationinParliamentHouse).Ifthecountinghallis bigenoughtoaccommodate tables forcountingofvotesofeachof theState CapitalsandtheParliamentHouseinonego,thentheballotboxesineachofthe placescanbe takenupsimultaneously. TheReturningOfficershouldallot the States toparticularcounting tables. Informationas to theballotboxofwhich Stateisbeingtakenupforcountingonwhichtable,shouldbesharedwitheach candidateorhisauthorisedagentinadvance.

8.6 Onopeningeachballotbox,alltheballotpapersinthatboxshouldbeemptied on the counting table and the empty ballot box should be shown to the candidates/authorisedagents.Thefirsttaskthenistocountthetotalnumberof ballot papers taken out of the box and complete Part-II of the ballot paper accountinForm6.IfaballotboxofapollingstationinaStateCapitalcontains votescastbyMembersofParliamentorMembersofLegislativeAssembliesof otherStates,thentherewouldbeseparateForm6forsuchcategoryofelectors also.TheballotpapersofMLAsofotherStateswouldbefoundkeptinenvelops onwhichnameoftheStatewouldalsobewritten.Thiswillfacilitateinidentifying theState.Aftertheinitialcountingoftheballotpapersfornumbers,theballot papersofMLAswhohavevotedeitherintheParliamentHouseorinotherState capitalswouldbeaddedtotheballotpaperstakenoutoftheballotboxoftheir State/UT.Suchballotsshouldbetakenoutoftheenvelopeinwhichtheyarekept andaddedtotheballotpapersoftherelevantpollingstationwithoutopeningthe ballotpaper.Similarly,theballotpapersusedbyMembersofParliamentinState capitalswouldalsobeseparatedandaddedtotheballotpaperstakenoutofthe ballot boxes used in the ParliamentHouse. This exercise is to be done before openingtheballotpapersforscrutinytodecidetheirvalidity.

Validityofballotpaper

8.7 Rule31ofthe1974Rulesprovidesthataballotpapershallbeinvalidif(a)first preferenceisnotvalidlymarkedagainstanycandidate,or(b)firstpreferenceis markedagainstmorethanonecandidate,or(c)firstpreferenceandsomeother figureismarkedagainstthesamecandidate,or(d)thereisanymarkputonthe ballotpaperbywhichtheelectormaybeidentified.Inthecaseofpostalballot papers,ifthesignatureoftheelectoronthedeclarationaccompanyingtheballot paper is not duly attested, that is an additional ground for treating the ballot paperasinvalid.

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8.8 Oneachcountingtable,separatetraysshouldbekeptforeachcandidate. The name of the candidate for whom a tray is intended prominently should be indicatedonthetray.Theballotpapersshallbescrutinisedonebyoneandthe validballotpapers shouldbeassigned to the traymeant for thecandidate for whomthefirstpreferenceismarkedontheballotpaper.Theinvalidballotpapers shallbeputinaseparatetray.Afteralltheballotpapersinaballotboxhavebeen scrutinisedandthevalidballotpaperssegregatedcandidatewise,thetotalvalid votespolledbyeachofthecandidatesinrespectofthatState/UTisascertained.

8.9 AsalreadyexplainedinChapter-I,thereisaspecificvalueofvotesofMLAs ofdifferentStatesandNCTofDelhiandPuducherry.ForeachState,NCTof DelhiandPuducherry,thevotespolledbyeachcandidateinthefirstcountshould beascertainedandaseparatestatementsheetmaintainedforeachState,NCTof DelhiandPuducherryinthefollowingmanner:

NameofState:

ValueofVotes:

No.ofvalidballotpapers:

No.ofinvalidballotpapers:

ThesameprocesshastobefollowedinrespectofthevotesofMPsinthePolling StationintheParliamentHouse.

8.10 AfterthisroundofcountingiscompletedforthevotespolledintheParliament House,allStatesandNCTofDelhi&Puducherry, thetotalvalueofvalidvotes polledbyeachofthecandidatesshallbeascertained.

Quotaofvotesrequiredforelection

8.11 Forcalculatingthequotaofvotesrequiredforbeingelected,allthevotespolled byallthecandidatesshallbeaddedandthetotalvalueofvotessoobtainedshall bedividedby2,andthequotient,afterignoringremainder,ifany,increasedby1.

Forexample,assumingthetotalvalueofvalidvotespolledbyallcandidatesis 8,00,501.Thequotarequiredforgettingelectedis:-

Nameofcandidate No.ofBallotPaperscreditedinfirstcount

TotalVotersofvotes(FigureinColumn-2×value

ofvote)

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8,00,501-----------+1=400250+1(Ignore.50) 2 Quota=400251

Afterascertainingthequota,theReturningOfficerhastoseewhetheranycandidate securedthequotaforbeingdeclaredaselectedonthebasisofthetotalvalueof firstpreferencevotespolledbyhim.

8.12 Ifno candidategets thequotaon thebasisoffirstpreferencevotes, then the ReturningOfficerproceedsfurthertosecondroundofcountingduringwhichthe candidate having lowest value of votes of first preference is excluded and his votesaredistributedamongtheremainingcandidatesaccordingtothesecond preference marked, if any, on these ballot papers. The other continuing candidatesreceivethevotesofexcludedcandidateatthesamevalueatwhichhe receivedtheminthefirstroundofcounting. Inthisprocessofdistributingthe votesof theeliminatedcandidate, in thecaseof thevotesofMLAs, theballot papersofeachStateshouldbeplacedinseparateenvelopesonwhichthename oftheStateandthevalueofvotesofMLAsofthatStateshouldbewrittenwhile transferringthemtothetraysoftherespectivecontinuingcandidates.

8.13 TheReturningOfficerwillgoonexcludingthecandidateswithlowestnumberof votes in subsequent rounds of counting till either one of the continuing candidatesgetstherequiredquotaortillonlyonecandidateremainsinthefield asthecontinuingcandidateandshalldeclarehimaselected.

8.14 InthecaseofVice-Presidentialelectionalso,thesystemandprocessofcounting isthesame,exceptthatthevalueofvotesofallelectorsinthiscaseis‘1’andall ballotpapersareofMPsonly.

ReturnofElection

8.15 Aftercompletionofcounting,theReturningOfficershallpreparetheReturnof ElectioninForm-7anddeclarethecandidatewhogetsthequotaoristheonly contestingcandidatewhoremainsaftereliminationoftheothercandidatesas elected, and announce the result to those present in the counting hall. The ReturningOfficershallreporttheresulttotheGovt.andtotheElectionCommission and shall also send a certified Return of Election in Form- 7 to the Election Commission.

FormatofForm7isannexedatAnnexure 9.

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CustodyofBallotBoxesandElectionPapers

8.16 Immediately after counting isover, theReturningOfficer shall seal in separate packetsthevalidballotpapersandtherejectedballotpapersandrecordonthe packets a description of the contents therein. The ballot boxes and the other electionpapersinsealedconditionshallbetransferredtotheElectionCommission forsafecustody.

ReturnofDeposit

8.17 UnderSection-20Aofthe1952Act,thesecuritydepositmadebythecandidates istobereturnedineligiblecasesassoonaspracticableaftertheresultofelection isdeclared.Inthecaseofacandidatewhosenominationisrejectedorwhodies beforethecommencementofpoll,thesecuritydepositshallbereturnedassoon aspracticable.Inothercases,acandidatewouldbeeligibleforrefundofsecurity depositonlyifheiseitherelectedorhaspolledmorethanone-sixthofthenumber ofvotesnecessarytobedeclaredelected,i.e.,morethanone-sixthofthequota ofvotesforelection.

FormalAnnouncementofElection

8.18 On receipt of the Return of Election from the Returning Officer, the Election Commission makes the formal Announcement of election of the President through a Certificate signed by the Commission. By convention, this formal AnnouncementofElectionisreadoutbytheHomeSecretaryontheoccasionof theswearinginceremonyofthePresident.

DisputesregardingElection.

8.19 Presidential and Vice-Presidential election can be called in question only by presentinganElectionPetitionbefore theSupremeCourtof India.AnElection PetitionchallengingaPresidentialelectioncanbefiledbyanycandidateatthe election,orbyaminimumoftwentyElectorsattheelectionjoinedtogetheras PetitionersinthecaseofPresidentialelection,andbyatleasttenElectorsjoined togetherasPetitionersinthecaseofVice-Presidentialelection.

[Sections 14 and 14A of the 1952 Act]

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ANNEXURESAnnexure-1

Relevant Constitutional Provisions regarding elections to the office of President andVice-President

54. Election of President.—The President shall be elected by themembers of an electoralcollegeconsistingof—

(a) theelectedmembersofbothHousesofParliament;and

(b) theelectedmembersoftheLegislativeAssembliesoftheStates.

[Explanation-Inthisarticleandinarticle55,“State”includestheNationalCapital TerritoryofDelhiandtheUnionterritoryof[Puducherry]. 55. MannerofelectionofPresident.—(1)Asfaraspracticable,thereshallbeuniformity inthescaleofrepresentationofthedifferentStatesattheelectionofthePresident. (2) ForthepurposeofsecuringsuchuniformityamongtheStatesinterseas wellasparitybetweentheStatesasawholeandtheUnion,thenumber ofvoteswhicheachelectedmemberofParliamentandoftheLegislative Assembly of each State is entitled to cast at such election shall be determinedinthefollowingmanner:—

(a) everyelectedmemberofthelegislativeAssemblyofaStateshall have asmany votes as there aremultiples of one thousand in thequotientobtainedbydividingthepopulationoftheStateby thetotalnumberoftheelectedmembersoftheAssembly;

(b) if,aftertakingthesaidmultiplesofonethousand,theremainder is not less than five hundred, then the vote of eachmember referredtoinsub-clause(a)shallbefurtherincreasedbyone;

(c) eachelectedmemberofeitherHouseofParliamentshallhave suchnumberofvotesasmaybeobtainedbydividingthetotal number of votes assigned to the members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States under sub-clauses (a) and (b) by the total number of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament, fractions exceeding one-half being counted as one andotherfractionsbeingdisregarded.

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(3) TheelectionofthePresidentshallbeheldinaccordancewiththesystem ofproportionalrepresentationbymeansofthesingletransferablevote andthevotingatsuchelectionshallbebysecretballot.

Explanation. —In this article, the expression “population” means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevantfigureshavebeenpublished:

Provided that the reference in this Explanation to the last preceding censusofwhichtherelevantfigureshavebeenpublishedshall,untilthe relevantfigures for thefirst census takenafter the year4 [2026]have beenpublished,beconstruedasareferencetothe1971census.

56. TermofofficeofPresident.—

(1) ThePresidentshallholdofficeforatermoffiveyearsfromthedateon whichheentersuponhisoffice:

Providedthat— (a) thePresidentmay,bywritingunderhishandaddressedto the Vice-President,resignhisoffice;

(b) thePresidentmay,forviolationoftheConstitution,beremoved fromofficebyimpeachmentinthemannerprovidedinarticle61; (c) thePresidentshall,notwithstandingtheexpirationofhis term, continuetoholdofficeuntilhissuccessorentersuponhisoffice.

(2) AnyresignationaddressedtotheVice-Presidentunderclause(a)ofthe proviso to clause (1) shall forthwith be communicated by him to the SpeakeroftheHouseofthePeople.

57. Eligibilityforre-election—Apersonwhoholds,orwhohasheld,officeasPresident shall,subjecttotheotherprovisionsofthisConstitution,beeligibleforre-election tothatoffice.

58. QualificationsforelectionasPresident.—

(1) NopersonshallbeeligibleforelectionasPresidentunlesshe—

(a) isacitizenofIndia,

(b) hascompletedtheageofthirty-fiveyears,and

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(c) isqualifiedforelectionasamemberoftheHouseofthePeople.

(2) Aperson shall not beeligible for electionas President if heholds any officeofprofitundertheGovernmentofIndiaortheGovernmentofany Stateorunderanylocalorotherauthoritysubjecttothecontrolofanyof thesaidGovernments.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this article, a person shall not be deemedtoholdanyofficeofprofitbyreasononlythatheisthePresident orVice-PresidentoftheUnionortheGovernorofanyStateorisaMinister eitherfortheUnionorforanyState.

62. TimeofholdingelectiontofillvacancyintheofficeofPresidentandthetermof officeofpersonelectedtofillcasualvacancy.—

(1) Anelectiontofillavacancycausedbytheexpirationofthetermofoffice ofPresidentshallbecompletedbeforetheexpirationoftheterm.

(2) AnelectiontofillavacancyintheofficeofPresidentoccurringbyreason ofhisdeath,resignationorremoval,orotherwiseshallbeheldassoon aspossibleafter,andinnocaselaterthansixmonthsfrom,thedateof occurrence of the vacancy; and the person elected to fill the vacancy shall,subjecttotheprovisionsofarticle56,beentitledtoholdofficefor thefulltermoffiveyearsfromthedateonwhichheentersuponhis office.

63. TheVice-PresidentofIndia.—ThereshallbeaVice-PresidentofIndia.

64. TheVice-PresidenttobeexofficioChairmanoftheCouncilofStates.—TheVice- PresidentshallbeexofficioChairmanoftheCouncilofStatesandshallnothold anyotherofficeofprofit:

Provided that during any periodwhen the Vice-President acts as President or dischargesthefunctionsofthePresidentunderarticle65,heshallnotperform the duties of the officeof Chairmanof the Council of States and shall not be entitled to any salary or allowancepayable to theChairmanof theCouncil of Statesunderarticle97.

65. Election of Vice-President.—(1) The Vice-President shall be elected by the 1 [membersofanelectoralcollegeconsistingofthemembersofbothHousesof Parliament] in accordance with the system of proportional representation by meansofthesingletransferablevoteandthevotingatsuchelectionshallbeby secretballot.

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(2) TheVice-PresidentshallnotbeamemberofeitherHouseofParliament orofaHouseoftheLegislatureofanyState,andifamemberofeither House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State be electedVice-President,heshallbedeemedtohavevacatedhisseat in that House on the date on which he enters upon his office as Vice- President.

(3) NopersonshallbeeligibleforelectionasVice-Presidentunlesshe—

(a) isacitizenofIndia;

(b) hascompletedtheageofthirty-fiveyears;and

(c) isqualifiedforelectionasamemberoftheCouncilofStates.

(4) ApersonshallnotbeeligibleforelectionasVice-Presidentifheholdsany officeofprofitundertheGovernmentofIndiaortheGovernmentofany Stateorunderanylocalorotherauthoritysubjecttothecontrolofanyof thesaidGovernments.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this article, a person shall not be deemedtoholdanyofficeofprofitbyreasononlythatheisthePresident orVice-Presidentof theUnionor theGovernor2 of anyStateor is a MinistereitherfortheUnionorforanyState.

66. TermofofficeofVice-President.—TheVice-Presidentshallholdofficeforaterm offiveyearsfromthedateonwhichheentersuponhisoffice:Providedthat—

(a) aVice-Presidentmay,bywritingunderhishandaddressedtothePresident, resignhisoffice;

(b) aVice-Presidentmayberemovedfromhisofficebyaresolutionofthe Council of Statespassedbyamajorityof all the thenmembersof the CouncilandagreedtobytheHouseofthePeople;butnoresolutionfor thepurposeofthisclauseshallbemovedunlessatleastfourteendays’ noticehasbeengivenoftheintentiontomovetheresolution;

(c) aVice-Presidentshall,notwithstandingtheexpirationofhisterm,continue toholdofficeuntilhissuccessorentersuponhisoffice.

67. TimeofholdingelectiontofillvacancyintheofficeofVice-Presidentandthe termofofficeofpersonelectedtofillcasualvacancy.—(1)Anelectiontofilla vacancycausedbytheexpirationofthetermofofficeofVice-Presidentshallbe completedbeforetheexpirationoftheterm.

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(2) AnelectiontofillavacancyintheofficeofVice-Presidentoccurringby reasonofhisdeath, resignationorremoval,orotherwiseshallbeheld assoonaspossibleaftertheoccurrenceofthevacancy,andtheperson electedtofillthevacancyshall,subjecttotheprovisionsofarticle67,be entitled to hold office for the full termof five years from thedateon whichheentersuponhisoffice.

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Annexure-2

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Annexure-3

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Annexure-4

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Annexure-5

“StrikeOut”*Thereshould be at least fifty elections as proposers.

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Annexure-6

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Annexure-7

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Annexure-8

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Annexure-9

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51


Note

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Note

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