(1)

Ļ¯ೇಷ ªಾಜÍ ಪĦÎೆ

GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

No.UDD 188 BBS 2025

Karnataka Government Secretariat

Vikasa Soudha Dr. B.R. Amberkar Veedi

Bengaluru, Dated:08-08-2025.

NOTIFICATION

The draft of the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Election) Rules, 2025, which

the Government of Karnataka proposes to make in exercise of the powers conferred

by section 314 read with section 68 of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024

(Karnataka Act 36 of 2025) is hereby published as required by sub-section (2) of

section 314 of the said Act, for the information of all persons likely to be affected

thereby and notice is hereby given that the said draft will be taken into

consideration after fifteen days from the date of its publication in the official

Gazette.

Any objection or suggestion which may be received by the State Government

from any person with respect to the said draft before expiry of the period specified

above will be considered by the State Government. Objections and suggestions may

be addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Urban Development

Department, Room No.436, 4th Floor, Vikasa Soudha, Bengaluru-560 001.

DRAFT RULES

Chapter-I

1. Title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Greater

Bengaluru Governance (Election) Rules, 2025.

(2) They shall come into force from the date of their final publication in the

official Gazette.

2. Definitions.- (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Act” means the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024 (Karnataka Act

36 of 2025);

¨sÁUÀ – 4J

Part – IVA

2025

1947)

BENGALURU, FRIDAY, 08 AUGUST, 2025 SHRAVANA 17, SHAKAVARSHA 1947)

. 439

No. 439

(b) “Ballot Box or Ballot paper” means Ballot Box or Ballot paper where-ever

used in these rules shall be construed as electronic voting machine where-ever

applicable.

certificate issued by the Tahsildar of a revenue taluk under the Karnataka

Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes (Reservation of

Appointment etc.) Act, 1990;

(d) “Councillor” means a Councillor elected under section 33 of the Act and

includes a person appointed to act as Councillor under section 39 of the Act;

(e) “City Corporation” means the any of the City Corporations established

under sections 5 and 7 of the Act;

(f) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner appointed under section 84 and

includes a person appointed to act as Commissioner under section 85 of the Act;

(g) “EVM” stands for Electronic Voting Machine. It is a device used to

electronically record and count votes cast in elections.

(h) “Form” means form appended to these rules;

(i) “Government” means the Government of Karnataka;

(j) “Presiding officer” means any person appointed under section 38 as

presiding officer and includes any polling officer performing any of the functions of

a presiding officer under rule 8;

(k) “Public holiday” means any day which is a public holiday for the purposes

of section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Central Act 26 of 1881);

(l) “Qualified Candidate” or “Candidate qualified to be chosen” means a

candidate who is qualified to be chosen in an election held under the provisions of

the Act and the rules made there under;

(m) “Reserved seat” means a seat reserved for the scheduled castes,

scheduled tribes, backward classes and women under section 29 of the Act;

(n) “Returning officer” means any person appointed under rule 5 as returning

officer and includes an assistant returning officer performing any of the functions

of a returning officer; and

(o) “Section” means section of the Act;

(2) Words and expressions used in these rules but not defined shall have the

same meaning assigned to them in the Act.

CHAPTER -II

3. Conduct of election.- (1) Election to the City Corporations shall be

conducted under the superintendence, direction and control of the State Election

Commission.

(2) Subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the State

Election Commission, the Commissioner shall co-ordinate and supervise all works

in connection with the conduct of election to the City Corporations. The

Commissioner shall also perform such other functions pertaining to the election as

may be entrusted to him by the State Election Commission.

4. Electoral Roll.- (1) The electoral roll referred to in section 35 of the Act

for each ward of the city shall be split into one or more parts taking into

consideration the area within the ward wherein the voters to be included in each

part reside, so that the voters to be included in each part belong to a named area,

street or road within the ward and the electoral roll so split up in respect of the

several parts of the ward shall together constitute the electoralroll for such ward.

(2) A copy of such electoral roll in respect of each ward shall also be kept

open for inspection in the office of the City Corporations.

5. Returning officer.- (1) For every general election of the Councillors or for

an election to fill a casual vacancy, the Commissioner shall designate or nominate

one or more Returning officers who shall be an officer of the State Government or

of a local authority:

Provided that, if more than one Returning officer is nominated or designated,

the Commissioner shall specify the ward or wards for which each such officer is

nominated or designated.

(2) The Commissioner may, in the same manner designate or nominate one

or more Assistant Returning officers who shall be officers of the State Government

or of a local authority to assist the Returning officer in the performance of his

functions.

(3) Every Assistant Returning officer shall, if so directed by the Returning

officer, be competent to perform all or any of the functions of the Returning officer.

6. General duty of the Returning Officer.- It shall be the general duty of

the Returning Officer at any election to do all such acts and things as may be

necessary for effectually conducting the election in the manner provided by the Act

and these rules.

7. Polling Stations.- The Returning officer shall, in consultation with the

Commissioner, provide sufficient number of polling stations for each ward and

shall publish a list showing the polling stations so provided and the polling areas

or group of voters for which they have respectively been provided, in such manner

as the State Election Commission may direct.

8. Duties of the presiding officer.- It shall be the general duty of the

presiding officer at a polling station to keep order there at and to see that the poll

is fairly taken.

9. Duties of polling officer.- It shall be the duty of the polling officer at a

polling station to assist the presiding officer for such station in the performance of

his functions.

10. Notification of Election.- (1) The Commissioner shall with the approval

of the State Election Commission notify in Form-1, the intended election referred

to in section 13 of the Act.

(2) The State Election Commission shall, in such notification specify the

following, namely:-

(i) the last date for making nominations which shall be the seventh day after

the date of publication of notification or if that day is a public holiday, the next

succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(ii) the date for the scrutiny of nominations, which shall be the day

immediately following the last date for making nominations or if that day is a public

holiday, the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(iii) the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures, which shall be the

second day after the date for the scrutiny of nominations or if that day is a public

holiday the next succeeding day which is not a public holiday;

(iv)the date on which the poll shall, if necessary, be taken which shall be a

date not earlier than seventh day after the last day for the withdrawal of

candidatures and the hours during which the poll shall be taken, the total period

of which on any allotted day shall not be less than eight hours; and

(v) the date before which the election shall be completed.

(3) On the issue of the notification under sub-rule (1) the Returning officer

shall give a public notice of the intended election in Form-1A by displaying it on

the notice board in his office and in the office of the City corporations and at such

other places as deemed necessary, inviting nominations for such election.

(4) The Returning officer shall specify in the notice, among other things the

last date for receipt of nominations, the place at which nominations are to be

delivered, date of scrutiny of nominations, last date for withdrawal of candidature,

date or dates on which a poll shall, if necessary be taken and the hours of poll and

the date before which elections shall be completed which shall conform to the dates

notified in that behalf by the Commissioner under sub-rule (2).

11. Nomination of candidates for election.- Any person may be nominated

as a candidate to fill a seat in any of the wards of the city, if he is qualified to be

chosen to fill that seat under the provisions of the Act.

12. Presentation of nomination paper.- (1) On or before the date appointed

under rule 10 for making nominations, each candidate shall either in person or by

his proposer, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., deliver to the

Returning officer at the place specified in this behalf in the public notice referred

under rule 9, a nomination paper duly completed in Form-2 along with his recent

passport size photograph, nomination papers signed by the candidate and six

electors of the ward as proposers:

Provided that, a candidate setup by a recognized political party, shall be

deemed to be duly nominated for election from a ward of the nomination paper is

subscribed by one proposer being elector of the ward.

Provided further that, no nomination paper shall be delivered to the

Returning officer on a day which is public holiday.

(2) In a ward wherein,-

(a) the seat is reserved for the backward classes, scheduled castes or

scheduled tribes, a candidate shall not be deemed to be qualified to be chosen to

fill that seat unless his nomination paper contains a declaration by him specifying

the particular class, caste or tribe of which he is a member and said class, caste or

tribe is a backward class, scheduled caste, or scheduled tribe; and

(b) the seat is reserved for women, the nomination paper shall contain a

declaration that the candidate is a woman.

(3) On the presentation of a nomination paper, the Returning officer shall

satisfy himself that the names and electoral roll numbers of the candidate and his

proposer as entered in the nomination paper are the same as those entered in the

electoral roll:

Provided that, no misnomer or inaccurate description or clerical, technical

or printing error in regard to the name of the candidate or his proposer or any other

person or in regard to any place mentioned in the electoral roll or the nomination

paper and no clerical, technical or printing error in regard to the electoral roll

number of any such person in the electoral roll or nomination paper shall affect

the full operation of the electoral roll or nomination paper with respect to such

person or place in any case where the description in regard to the name of the

person or place is such as to be understood and the Returning officer shall permit

any such misnomer or inaccurate description or clerical, technical or printing error

to be corrected and where necessary direct that, any such misnomer, inaccurate

description, clerical, technical or printing error in the electoral roll or in the

nomination paper shall be overlooked.

(4) Nothing in this rule shall prevent any candidate from being nominated by

more than one nomination paper:

provided that such nominations shall not exceed four.

(5) A candidate shall not deemed to be duly nominated for election from any

ward unless, he deposits or causes to be deposited before the nomination paper is

delivered to the Returning officer, a sum of five thousand rupees or where the

candidate is a member of a backward class or a scheduled caste or a scheduled

tribe or a woman, a sum of two thousand and five hundred rupees:

Provided that, where a candidate has been nominated by more than one

nomination paper for election in the same ward, not more than one deposit shall

be required of them under this sub-rule.

(6) Any sum required to be deposited under sub-rule (5) shall not deemed to

have been deposited in that sub-rule unless, at the time of delivery of nomination

paper under sub-rule (1) the candidate has either deposited or caused to be

deposited that sum with the Returning officer in cash or enclosed with nomination

paper a receipt showing that the said sum has been deposited by him or in his

behalf to the Government treasury.

13. Receiving nominations in case of seats reserved.- Notwithstanding

anything contained in these rules, where a seat is reserved under the proviso to

sub-section (3) of section 29,-

(i) for a person belonging to category-A of the backward classes, the

Returning officer may accept nomination papers from person belonging to both

category-A and category-B of the backward classes, but shall return the

nomination paper filled by a person belonging to category-B along with the deposit

made, in case nomination paper is received from any person belonging to category-

A, before the expiry of the date and time fixed for making nomination. However, he

may proceed to consider the nomination paper filed by a candidate belonging to

category-B only, when no nomination paper is received from a person belonging to

category A, before the expiry of the date and time fixed for making nomination; and

(ii) for a person belonging to category-B of the backward classes the

Returning officer may accept nomination papers from person belonging to both

category-A and category-B of the backward classes but shall return the nomination

paper filled by the person belonging to category-A along with the deposit made, in

case nomination paper is received from any person belonging to category-B before

the expiry of the date and time fixed for making nomination. However, he may

proceed to consider the nomination paper filed by a candidate belonging to

category-A only when no nomination paper is received from a person belonging to

category-B, before the expiry of the date and time fixed for making nomination.

14. Notice of nominations and the time and place for their scrutiny.-

The Returning officer shall, on receiving the nomination paper under rule 12,

inform the person delivering the same of the date, time and place fixed for scrutiny

of nominations and shall enter on the nomination paper its serial number and shall

sign thereon a certificate stating the date on which and the hour at which the

nomination paper has been delivered to him and shall as soon as may be thereafter

cause to be fixed in some conspicuous place in his office a notice of the nomination

in Form-3, containing descriptions similar to those contained in the nomination

paper both of the candidate and of the proposer.

15. Scrutiny of nominations.- (1) On the date fixed for scrutiny of

nominations under rule 10, the candidates, their election agents, one proposer of

each candidate and one other person duly authorized in writing by each candidate,

but no other person, may attend at such time and place as the Returning officer

may appoint and the Returning officer shall give them all reasonable facilities for

examining the nomination papers of all candidates which have been delivered

within the time and in the manner laid down in rule 12.

(2) The Returning officer shall, then examine the nomination papers and

shall decide all objections which may be made to any nomination and may, either

on such objection or on his own motion, after such summary enquiry as he thinks

necessary, reject any nomination on any of the following grounds, namely, that:-

(i) on the date fixed for the scrutiny of nominations the candidate either is

not qualified or is disqualified for being chosen to fill the seat under the provisions

of the Act;

(ii) there has been a failure to comply with any of the provisions of the Act or

these rules; and

(iii) the signature of the candidate or the proposer on the nomination paper

is not genuine.

(3) Nothing contained in clause (ii) or (iii) of sub-rule (2) shall be deemed to

authorize the rejection of nomination of any candidate on the ground of any

irregularity in respect of nomination paper, if the candidate has been duly

nominated by means of another nomination paper in respect of which no

irregularity has been committed.

(4) The Returning officer shall not reject any nomination paper on the ground

of any defect which is not of a substantial character.

(5) The Returning officer shall hold the scrutiny on the date appointed in this

behalf under rule 10 and shall not allow any adjournment of the proceedings except

when such proceedings are interrupted by riot or open violence or by causes beyond

his control:

Provided that, in case an objection is raised by the Returning officer or is

made by any other person, the candidate concerned may be allowed time to rebut

it not later than the next day, but one following the date fixed for scrutiny and the

Returning officer shall record his decision on the date to which the proceedings

have been adjourned.

(6) The Returning officer shall endorse on each nomination paper his decision

accepting or rejecting the same and if the nomination paper is rejected, shall record

in writing a brief statement of reasons for such rejection.

(7) Immediately after all the nomination papers are scrutinized and decision

accepting or rejecting the same are recorded, the Returning officer shall prepare a

list of validly nominated candidates in Form-4, that is to say candidates whose

nominations are found valid and affix it to notice board of his office.

(8) For the purpose of this rule, a certified copy of an entry in the electoral

roll for the time being in force of a ward shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that

the person referred to in that entry is an elector for that ward.

16. Withdrawal of candidature.- (1) Any candidate may withdraw his

candidature by a notice in writing in Form-5 and delivered before 3:00 p.m. on the

date fixed under rule 10 to the Returning officer either by such candidate in person

or by his proposer or election agent who has been authorized in this behalf in

writing by such candidate.

(2) On receipt of such notice under sub-rule (1), the Returning officer shall

note thereon the date and time at which it was delivered.

(3) No person who has given notice of withdrawal of his candidature under

sub-rule (1) shall be allowed to cancel the said notice.

(4) The Returning officer shall, on being satisfied as to the genuineness of a

notice of withdrawal and the identity of the person delivering it, cause the notice in

Form-6 to be affixed on the notice board of his office.

17. Preparation of list of contesting candidates.- (1) Immediately after the

expiry of the period, within which candidature may be withdrawn under rule 16,

the Returning officer shall prepare and publish in Kannada language a list of

contesting candidates that is to say candidates who are included in the list of

validly nominated candidates and who have not withdrawn their candidature

within the said period.

Provided that, the State Election Commission may direct that in any election,

the list of contesting candidates may be prepared in a language other than

Kannada.

(2) The said list shall contain the names in Kannada alphabetical order and

the address of the contesting candidates as given in the nomination paper.

(3) Where a poll becomes necessary, the Returning officer shall consider the

choice of symbols expressed by the contesting candidates in their nomination

papers and shall allot the symbols in accordance with rule 21.

(4) The allotment of any symbol to a candidate shall be final.

(5) Every candidate or his election agent shall forthwith be informed of the

symbol allotted to the candidate and be supplied with a specimen thereof by the

Returning officer.

(6) The list of contesting candidates shall be in Form-7.

18. Recognition of Political Parties.- Every political party recognized by

the Election Commission of India as a national party or as a state party in the State

of Karnataka under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968,

shall be a recognized political party for the purpose of election to the City

Corporations.

19. Publication of list of recognized political parties and symbols.- (1)

For the purpose of these rules the State Election Commission shall notify, a list of

recognized political parties and symbols reserved to each such recognized political

party and a list of free symbols.

(2) The State Election Commission shall notify a list of symbols of political

parties which are registered or recognized in other states.

20. Publication of list of unrecognized political parties.- The State

Election Commission shall notify a list of unrecognized political parties in the State

of Karnataka.

21. Allotment of symbols.- (1) A candidate set up by any recognized political

party in the election shall choose and shall be allotted the symbol reserved for that

party and no other symbol shall be allotted.

(2) A reserved symbol shall not be chosen by or allotted to any candidate

other than a candidate set up by a recognized political party.

(3) Any candidate other than the candidate set up by a recognized political

party in the election shall choose and shall be allotted in accordance with the rules

hereinafter provided, one of the symbols specified as free symbols:

Provided that, in case of a candidate set up by an unrecognized political party

in the election, shall be allotted the free symbol chosen by such candidate and no

one else and in case the candidates set up by two or more unrecognized political

parties choose the same free symbol, the Returning officer shall decide by lot to

which of those candidates set up by such unrecognized political parties that free

symbol shall be allotted and allot that free symbol to the candidate to whom the lot

falls and to no one else. The remaining free symbols shall be allotted to other

candidates.

Explanation: For the purpose of this rule and rule 20, the expression

“unrecognized political party” means a political party registered as a political party

under section 29-A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (Central Act 43 of

1951) and having its registered office or a branch office in Bengaluru and which is

not a recognized national party or a recognized state party in Karnataka within the

meaning of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

(4) Where a free symbol other than the one chosen by a candidate set up by

an unrecognized political party has been chosen by only one candidate at the

election, the Returning officer shall allot that symbol to that candidate and to no

one else.

(5) Where the same free symbol other than the one chosen by a candidate set

up by any unrecognized political party is chosen by more than one candidate,

then,-

(i) the Returning officer shall decide by lot to which of those candidates that

free symbol shall be allotted and shall allot it to the candidate, to whom the lot falls

and to no one else; and

(ii) Where there are more number of candidates than the number of free

symbols specified, the Returning officer shall allot any other symbol in his

discretion to the remaining candidates.

Explanation: For the purpose of these rules a candidate shall deemed to be

set up by a political party, if and only if,-

(a) the candidate has made a declaration to that effect in his nomination

paper;

(b) a notice in writing to that effect has been delivered to the Returning officer

before 3:00 p.m. on the last date for making nominations; and

office bearer of the party and the president, secretary or such other office bearer is

authorized by the party to send such notice and the name and specimen signature

of the president, the secretary or such other office bearer is communicated in

advance to the Returning officer of the ward and to the State Election Commission.

In the case of a national party the authorization may be made by the president of

the party’s unit at the state level or any other office bearer of such unit who is

empowered by it.

(6) If a political party is a registered and recognized party in Karnataka or

any other state and such party has setup the candidates to contest the election in

the State, the symbols allotted to the candidates of that party in other State itself

may be allotted, if they fulfill the following conditions, even though the symbols

were not in the list of free symbol, namely:-

(i) the president of such party shall submit a representation in writing to the

State Election Commission, requesting to allot particular symbol to the candidates

who are contesting from his party, within three days from publication of calendar

of events by the State Election Commission.

(ii) if more than one party, which have been recognized in other states have

chosen the same symbol as their reserved symbol of their party and such parties

have submitted requisition for allotting the same symbol for their candidates, the

State Election Commissioner shall allot the symbol to the candidate of such party

through lot. The candidates of other party shall choose remaining any one of the

free symbols.

(iii) the candidate shall declare in the nomination that which party has filed

him as a candidate. In case anything contrary to this is found in the nomination

or Form C or D, such candidate shall not be allotted the symbol reserved and such

candidate shall be allotted a symbol by the election commissioner out of the list of

free symbols.

(iv) it shall be satisfied by the State Election Commission that there is no

appropriate reason to reject the application. They shall not claim for allotment of

the same symbol for any other election, conducted in future.

22. Publication of list of contesting candidates.- (1) The Returning officer

shall immediately after the preparation of the list of contesting candidates under

rule 17, cause a copy thereof to be affixed on the notice board of his office.

(2) If a poll becomes necessary the Returning officer shall supply a copy of

the list of contesting candidates and specimen of the picture of the symbol allotted

to each such candidate or his election agent.

23. Appointment of election agent.- (1) Subject to provisions under section

48 of the Act, a candidate at an election may appoint an election agent in Form-8

and notice of such appointment shall be given by forwarding the same in duplicate

to the Returning officer, who shall return one copy thereof to the election agent

after affixing thereon his seal and signature in token of his approval of the

appointment.

(2) The revocation of appointment of an election agent shall be made in Form-

9. In the event of such revocation or death of an election agent, the candidate may

at any time before the election is over, make a fresh appointment in the manner

specified in sub-rule (1).

24. Appointment of polling agents.- (1) A contesting candidate or his

election agent may appoint one polling agent and two relief agents to act as such

on his behalf in each polling station.

(2) Every such appointment shall be made in Form-10 and shall be made to

the polling agent for production at the polling station.

(3) No polling agent shall be admitted into any polling station unless he has

delivered to the presiding officer the instrument of his appointment under sub-rule

(2), after duly completing and signing before the presiding officer the declaration

contained therein.

(4) The revocation of the appointment of a polling agent shall be in Form- 11.

(5) In the event of any such revocation or death of a polling agent, the

candidate or his election agent may, at any time before the poll is closed make a

fresh appointment in the manner specified in sub-rule (2).

25. Attendance of contesting candidate or his election agent at polling

stations.- (1) At every election where a poll is taken, each contesting candidate at

such election and his election agent shall have right to be present at any polling

station provided under rule 7, for taking of the poll.

(2) A contesting candidate or his election agent may, do any act or thing

which any polling agent or the counting agent of such contesting candidate if

appointed, would have been authorized under these rules to do or may assist any

polling agent or the counting agent of such contesting candidate in doing any such

act or thing.

26. Non-attendance of polling or counting agents.- Where any act or thing

is required or authorized under these rules to be done in the presence of the polling

or counting agent, the nonattendance of any such agent at the time and place

appointed for said purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done,

invalidate the act or thing done.

CHAPTER-III

27. Particulars of account of election expenses.- (1) The candidate or his

election agent shall maintain the account of election expenses under section 64 of

the Act, in Form 11-A, which shall ordinarily contain the following particulars in

respect of each item of expenditure from day to day, namely:-

(i)

date on which the expenditure was incurred or authorised;

(ii)

the nature of expenditure (for example traveling, postage or

printing and the like);

(iii)

the amount of the expenditure with break-up of the following,

namely,-

(a) the amount paid;

(b) the amount outstanding; and

(d) the name and address of the payee;

(e) the serial number of vouchers, in case of amount paid;

(f) the serial number of bills, if any, in case of amount outstanding; and

(g) the name and address of the person to whom the amount outstanding

is payable.

(2) A voucher shall be obtained for every item of expenditure, unless from the

nature of the case, such as postage, travel by rail and the like, it is not practicable

to obtain a voucher.

(3) All vouchers shall be lodged along with the account of election expenses,

arranged according to the date of payment and serially numbered by the candidate

or his election agent and such serial numbers shall be entered in the account under

item (e) of clause (iii) of sub-rule (1).

(4) It shall not be necessary to give particulars mentioned in item (e) of clause

(iii) of sub-rule (1) in regard to items of expenditure for which vouchers have not

been obtained under sub-rule (2).

(5) Every candidate shall make a declaration in Form 11-B, while lodging his

statement of expenditure before the Returning officer and the Returning officer

shall acknowledge the same in Form 11-C.

28. Notice by Returning officer.- The Returning officer shall, within two

days from the date on which the account of election expenses has been lodged by

a candidate under section 65 of the Act, cause a notice to be affixed on the notice

board of the office, specifying the following namely:-

(a) the date on which the account has been lodged;

(b) the name of candidate; and

29. Report by the Returning officer as to the lodging of the account of

election expenses and the decision of the State Election Commission

thereon.- (1) As soon as may be after the expiration of the time specified in section

65 of the Act, for lodging of the accounts of election expenses at any election, the

Returning officer shall report the following to the State Election Commission,

namely:-

(a) the name of each contesting candidate;

(b) whether such candidate has lodged his account of election

expenses and if so, the date on which such account has been

lodged; and

time and in the manner required by the Act and these rules.

(2) Where the Returning officer is of the opinion, that the account of election

expenses of any candidate has not been lodged in the manner required by the Act

under these rules, he shall, with every such report forward to the State Election

Commission, the account of election expenses of that candidate and the vouchers

lodged along with it.

(3) Immediately after the submission of the report referred to in sub-rule (2),

the Returning officer shall publish a copy thereof by affixing the same on the notice

board.

(4) As soon as may be, after the receipt of the report referred to in sub-rule

(2), the State Election Commission shall consider the same and decide whether any

contesting candidate has failed to lodge the account of election expenses within the

time and in the manner required by the Act and these rules.

(5) Where the State Election Commission decides that a contesting candidate

has failed to lodge his account of expenses within time and in the manner required

by the Act and these rules, it shall, by notice in writing call upon the candidate to

show cause why he should not be disqualified under section 66 of the Act for such

failure.

(6) Any contesting candidate who has been called upon to show cause under

sub-rule (5) may, within twenty days of the receipt of such notice submit in respect

of the matter, a representation in writing to the State Election Commission and

shall, at the same time send to the Returning officer a copy of his representation

together with a complete account of his election expenses, if he had not already

furnished such an account.

(7) The Returning officer shall, within five days of the receipt there of, forward

to the State Election Commission a copy of the representation and the account (if

any) with such comments as he deems fit, to make thereon.

30. Maximum limit of election expenses.- The maximum limit of the

expenditure that may be incurred by each candidate or his election agent in

connection with the election, shall not exceed rupees five lakhs.

31. Death of candidate before the poll.- If a candidate set up by a

recognized political party,-

(a) dies at any time after 11:00 a.m. on the last date for making nominations

and his nomination is found valid on scrutiny under rule 15;

(b) whose nomination has been found valid on scrutiny under rule 15 and

who has not withdrawn his candidature under rule 16 dies and in either case a

report of his death is received at any time before the publication of the list of

contesting candidates under rule 22; or

the commencement of the poll, the returning officer shall, upon being satisfied

about the fact of the death of the candidate, by order, countermand the poll and

report the fact to the State Election Commission and all proceedings with reference

to the election shall be commenced afresh in all respects, as if for a new election:

Provided that, no order for countermanding a poll shall be made in a case

referred to in clause (a), except after the scrutiny of all the nominations including

the nomination of the deceased candidate.

Provided further that, no further nomination shall be necessary in the case

of a person was a contesting candidate at the time of the countermanding of the

poll.

Provided also that, no person who has given a notice of withdrawal of his

candidature under sub-rule (1) of rule 16 before the countermanding of the poll

shall be ineligible for being nominated as a candidate for the election after such

countermanding.

32. Procedure in contested and uncontested election.- (1) If the number

of contesting candidates is more than the number of seats to be filled, a poll shall

be taken.

(2) If the number of such candidates is equal to the number of seats to be

filled the Returning officer shall forthwith declare all such candidates to be duly

elected to fill these seats in Form-12 or 12-A as may be appropriate.

(3) If the number of such candidates is less than the number of seats to be

filled in that ward, the returning officer shall forthwith declare all such candidates

to be duly elected in Form 12 or Form 12-A as may be appropriate and the

Commissioner shall, with the approval of the State Election Commission, by

notification in the official Gazette call upon the ward to elect a person or persons

to fill the remaining seat or seats.

33. Adjournment of poll in emergency.- (1) If at an election the proceedings

at any polling station are interrupted or obstructed by any riot or open violence or

if at an election it is not possible to take the poll at any polling station on account

of any natural calamity or any other sufficient cause, the presiding officer for such

polling station or the Returning officer shall announce an adjournment of the poll

to a date to be notified later and where the poll is adjourned by a presiding officer,

he shall forthwith inform the Returning officer.

(2) Whenever a poll is adjourned under sub-rule (1), the Returning officer

shall immediately report the circumstances to the Commissioner and the State

Election Commission and shall, as soon as may be, with the previous approval of

the State Election Commission publish a notice appointing the day on which the

poll shall recommence and fix the polling station and the hours during which the

poll shall be taken and shall not count the votes cast at the election of such ward

until such adjourned poll shall have been completed.

(3) In every such case as aforesaid, the Returning officer shall notify in such

manner as the State Election Commission may direct, the date, place and hours of

polling fixed under sub-rule (2).

34. Procedure on adjournment of poll.- (1) If the poll at any polling station

is adjourned under rule 33, the provisions of the rules 62, 63, 65 and 66 shall, as

far as practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at the hour fixed in that behalf

under rule 10.

(2) When an adjourned poll is recommended under sub-rule (2) of rule 33,

the electors who have already voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed

to vote again.

(3) The Returning officer shall provide the presiding officer of the polling

station at which such adjourned poll is held, with the sealed packet containing the

marked copy of the electoral roll and a new ballot box.

(4) The presiding officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the

polling agents present and use the marked copy of the electoral roll for marking

the names of the electors to whom the ballot papers are issued at the adjourned

poll, without however recording therein the serial number thereof.

(5) The provisions of rules 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 and 53, 54, 55,

56,57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 shall apply in relation to the conduct

of an adjourned poll as they apply in relation to the poll before it was so adjourned.

35. Adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground

of booth capturing.- (1) If at any election,-

(a) booth capturing has taken place at a polling station or at a place fixed for

the poll (hereinafter in this rule referred to as a place) in such a manner that the

result of the poll at that polling station or place becomes unascertainable; or

(b) booth capturing takes place in any place for counting of votes in such

manner that the result of the counting at the place becomes un ascertainable.

the returning officer shall forthwith report the matter to the State Election

Commission and the Commissioner.

(2) The State Election Commission shall, on receipt of a report from the

returning officer under sub-rule (1) and after taking all material circumstances into

account, either,-

(a) declare that the poll at that polling station or place be void, appoint a day

and fix the hours for taking fresh poll at that polling station or place and notify the

date so appointed and hours so fixed in such manner as it may deem fit; or

(b) if satisfied that, in view of the large number of polling stations or places

involved in booth capturing, the result of the election is likely to be affected or that

booth capturing had affected counting of votes in such a manner as to affect the

result of the election, countermand the election in that ward.

Explanation: For the purpose of this rule “booth capturing” includes, among

other things, all or any of the following activities, namely:-

(i) seizure of polling station or a place fixed for the poll by any person, making

polling authorities surrender the ballot papers or voting machines and doing of any

other act which affects the orderly conduct of elections;

(ii) taking possession of a polling station or a place fixed for the polling by

any person and allowing only himself or his own supporters to exercise their right

to vote and prevent other from voting;

(iii) threatening any elector and preventing them from going to the polling

station or a place fixed for the poll to cast his vote;

(iv) seizure of a place for counting of votes by any person or persons, making

the counting authorities surrender the ballot papers or voting machines and the

doing of anything which affects the orderly counting of votes; and

(v) doing by any person in the service of Government, of all or any of the

aforesaid activities or aiding or conniving at, any such activity in the furtherance

of the prospects of the election of a candidate.

36. Fresh poll in the case of destruction etc. of ballot boxes.- (1) If at any

election,-

(a) any ballot box used at a polling station is unlawfully taken out of the

custody of the presiding officer or the Returning officer or is accidentally or

intentionally destroyed or lost or is damaged or tampered with, to such an extent,

that the result of the poll at that polling station or the ward becomes

unascertainable; or

(b) any such error or irregularity in procedure as is likely to vitiate the poll is

committed at a polling station;

then the Returning officer shall forthwith report the matter to the State

Election Commission.

(2) There upon the State Election Commission shall, after taking all material

circumstances into account, either,-

(a) declare the poll at that polling station to be void, appoint a day and fix the

hours for taking fresh poll at that polling station and notify the day so appointed

and the hours so fixed on the notice board; or

(b) if satisfied that the result of a fresh poll at that polling station shall not,

in any way, affect the results of the election of that ward or that the error or

irregularity in procedure is not material, issue directions to the Returning officer

as he may deem proper for the further conduct and completion of the election.

(3) These rules shall apply to every fresh poll under sub-rule (2) as they apply

to the original poll.

37. Manner of voting.- At every election where a poll is taken, vote shall be

given by ballot and all the voters voting at an election shall do so in person at the

polling station and no vote shall be received by proxy.

38. Form of ballot paper.- (1) Every ballot paper shall have a counterfoil

attached thereto and the said ballot paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form

and the particulars therein shall be in the language or languages as the State

Election Commission may direct.

(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged in the ballot paper in the

same order in which they appear in the list of contesting candidates.

(3) If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished

by the addition of their occupation or residence or in some other manner.

39. Design of ballot boxes.- Every ballot box shall be of such design as may

be approved by the State Election Commission.

40. Arrangement at polling stations.- (1) Outside each polling station the

following details shall be displayed prominently, namely:-

(a) a notice specifying the polling area, the electors of which are entitled to

vote at the polling station and when the polling area has more than one polling

station, the particulars of the electors so entitled; and

(b) a copy of the list of contesting candidates.

(2) At each polling station, there shall be set up one or more voting

compartments in which the electors can record their votes, screened from

observation.

(3) The Returning officer shall provide at each polling station sufficient

number of ballot boxes, copies of the relevant part of the electoral roll, ballot

papers, instruments for stamping the distinguishing mark on the ballot papers and

articles necessary for electors to mark the ballot papers and such other materials

as are necessary for the conduct of poll.

41. Admission to polling stations.- The presiding officer shall regulate the

number of electors to be admitted at any time inside the polling station and shall

exclude there from all persons other than the following, namely:-

(i) polling officers;

(ii) public servants on duty in connection with the election;

(iii) persons authorized by the Commissioner and the State Election

Commission.

(iv) candidates, their election agents and one polling agent of each candidate;

(v) a child in arms accompanying an elector;

(vi) a person accompanying a blind or infirm elector who cannot move without

help; and

(vii) such other persons as the Returning officer or the presiding officer may

employ for the purpose of election.

42. Facilities for women electors.- (1) Where a polling station is both for

men and women electors, the presiding officer may direct that they shall be

admitted into the polling station alternately in separate batches.

(2) The Returning officer or the presiding officer may appoint a woman to

serve as an attendant at any polling station to assist women electors and also to

assist presiding officer generally in taking the poll in respect of women electors and

in particular to help in searching any women elector in case it becomes necessary.

43. Identification of electors.- (1) The Returning officer or the presiding

officer may employ at the polling station such persons as he thinks fit to help in

the identification of the electors or to assist the presiding officer otherwise in taking

the poll.

(2) As each elector enters the polling station, the presiding officer or the

polling officer authorized by him in this behalf shall check the elector’s name and

other particulars with the relevant entry in the electoral roll and then call out the

serial number, name and other particulars of the elector.

(3) In deciding the right of a person to obtain a ballot paper from the presiding

officer or the polling officer, as the case maybe, shall overlook mere clerical or

printing errors in an entry in the electoral roll if they are satisfied that such person

is identical with the elector to whom such entry relates.

44. Facilities for public servants on election duty.- (1) Voters on election

duty who wish to vote by post at an election shall send an application in Form-15

to the Returning officer so as to reach him at least seven days or shorter period as

the Returning officer may allow before the date of a poll and if the Returning officer

is satisfied that the applicant is on election duty in any place outside the ward in

which he is a voter, the officer shall issue a postal ballot paper of such concerned

ward.

(2) Where such voter being a presiding officer, a polling officer or other public

servant on election duty in a polling station other than the one in which he is

entitled to vote wishes to vote in the polling station in which he is on election duty,

he shall send an application in Form-13 to the Returning officer so as to reach at

least four days or such shorter period as the Returning officer may allow before the

day of poll and if the Returning officer is satisfied that the applicant is a public

servant and voter on election duty, he shall,-

(a) issue the applicant an Election Duty Certificate (EDC) in Form-14;

(b) mark Election Duty Certificate against his / her name in the marked copy

of the electoral roll to indicate that an Election Duty Certificate has been issued to

him/her; and

he/she would otherwise have been entitled to vote.

(3) The provisions of rule 43 shall not apply to any person who produces at

the polling station an Election Duty Certificate in Form-14 and asks for the issue

of a ballot paper, although the polling station is different from the one where he is

entitled to vote. On production of such certificate the presiding officer shall,-

(a) obtain thereon the signature of the person producing it;

(b) have the person’s name and electoral roll number as mentioned in the

certificate entered at the end of the marked copy of the electoral roll; and

for as elector entitled to vote in the polling station.

45. Persons entitled to vote by post.- The following persons shall, subject

to fulfilling the requirements hereinafter specified, be entitled to vote by post,

namely:-

(a) persons to whom provisions of sub-section (3) or sub-section (6) of section

20 of the Representation of the peoples Act, 1950 (Central Act 43 of 1950) applies;

(b) voters on election duty in any place outside the ward in which they are

entitled to vote; and

46. Electors under preventive detention:- (1) The City Corporations shall,

within fifteen days of the calling of an election, ascertain and intimate to the

Returning officer the names of electors, if any, subject to preventive detention

together with their addresses and electoral roll numbers and the particulars about

their places of detention.

(2) Any elector subjected to preventive detention may, within fifteen days of

the calling of an election, send intimation to the Returning officer that he wishes

to vote by post specifying his name, address, electoral roll number and place of

detention.

(3) The Returning officer shall on receipt of such intimation issue a postal

ballot paper to every elector subjected to preventive detention whose name has

been intimated to him under sub-rule (1) or under sub-rule (2).

47. Intimation by voters who are entitled to vote by post.- Subject to

rules 44 and 46, the person referred to in rule 45 who wish to vote by post in an

election shall send an intimation in Form15 to the Returning officer so as to reach

him at least ten days before the date of poll and on receipt of the intimation the

Returning officer shall issue a postal ballot paper to him.

48. Form of postal ballot paper.- The postal ballot paper shall be same as

that of the other ballot issued to voters who are entitled to vote in person.

49. Issue of postal ballot paper.- (1) A postal ballot paper shall be sent by

post under certificate of posting to the elector together with,-

(i) a declaration in Form-16;

(ii) a cover in Form 16-A;

(iii)a large cover addressed to the Returning officer in Form 16-B; and

(iv)instructions for the guidance of the elector in Form 16-C.

Provided that, the Returning officer may, in the case of a voter on election

duty who is entitled to vote by post, deliver the ballot paper and forms or cause

him to be delivered to such voter personally.

(2) The Returning officer shall at the same time,-

(a) record on the counterfoil of the ballot paper, the electoral roll number of

the elector as entered in the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to

indicate that a postal ballot paper has been issued to him without recording therein

the serial number of the ballot paper issued to that elector; and

(3) Every officer under whose care or through whom a postal ballot paper is

sent shall ensure its delivery to the addressee without delay.

50. Recording of votes.- (1) An elector who has received a postal ballot paper

and desires to vote shall record his vote on the ballot paper in accordance with the

directions contained in part-I of Form16-C and then enclose it in the cover in Form

16-B.

(2) The elector shall sign the declaration in Form-16 in the presence of and

have the signature attested by a Magistrate or any Gazetted officer to whom he is

personally known or to whose satisfaction he has been identified.

(3) In case of a voter falling under clause (a) of rule 45, the attestation shall

be by the commanding officer of the unit, ship or establishment in which the voter

or voter’s spouse, as the case may be, is employed.

(4) In case of a voter on election duty, any Gazetted officer or the presiding

officer of the polling station at which he is on election duty may attest.

(5) In case of an elector under preventive detention the Superintendent of the

jail in which the elector is under detention may attest.

51. Return of the postal ballot paper.- (1) After an elector has recorded

their vote and made his declaration, he shall return the postal ballot paper and

declaration to the Returning officer in accordance with the instructions

communicated to him, so as to reach the returning officer before the hour fixed for

commencement of counting of votes.

(2) If any cover containing a postal ballot paper is received by the Returning

officer after the expiry of the time fixed in sub-rule (1), he shall note thereon the

day and time of its receipt and shall keep all such covers together in a separate

packet.

(3) The Returning officer shall keep the covers containing postal ballot papers

received by him in safe custody, until the commencement of the counting of votes.

52. Right to vote.- (1) No person whose name is not entered in the electoral

roll of any ward shall be entitled to vote in that ward.

(2) No person shall vote at an election if he is subject to any of the

disqualifications referred in section 63 of the Act.

(3) No person shall vote in more than one ward, notwithstanding his name

may have been registered in the electoral roll of more than one ward and if a person

votes in more than one ward, his votes in all such wards shall be void.

(4) No person shall, at any election vote in the same ward more than once,

notwithstanding that his name may have been registered in the electoral roll for

that ward more than once and if he does so vote, all his votes in that ward shall be

void.

(5) No person shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether

under a sentence of imprisonment or otherwise or is in the lawful custody of the

police:

Provided that, nothing in this sub-rule shall apply to a person subject to

preventive detention under any law for the time being in force.

53. Preparation of ballot boxes for the poll.-- (1) Immediately before the

commencement of the poll, the presiding officer shall demonstrate to the polling

agents that the ballot box shall be empty and shall bear the labels referred to in

sub-rule (7).

(2) The ballot box shall then be closed, sealed and secured and placed in full

view of the presiding officer and the polling agents.

(3) Where a paper seal is used for securing a ballot box, the presiding officer

shall affix his own signature on the paper seal and obtain thereon the signatures

of such of the polling agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.

(4) The presiding officer shall there after fix the paper seal so signed in the

space meant there for in the ballot box and shall then secure and seal the box in

such manner that the slit for the insertion of ballot paper there into remains open.

(5) The seals used for securing a ballot box shall be affixed in such manner

that after the box has been closed it is not possible to open it without breaking the

seal.

(6) Where it is not necessary to use paper seals for securing the ballot boxes,

the presiding officer shall secure and seal the ballot boxes in such manner that the

slit for the insertion of ballot papers remains open and shall allow the polling agents

present to affix, if they so desire, their seals.

(7) Every ballot box used at a polling station shall bear labels, both inside

and outside, marked with the following details, namely:-

(i) the serial number, if any, and the name of the ward;

(ii) the serial number and name of the polling station;

(iii) the serial number of the ballot box (to be filled in at the end of the poll

on the label outside the ballot box only); and

(iv) the date of poll.

54. Marked copy of the electoral roll.- Immediately before the

commencement of the poll the presiding officer shall allow the polling agents and

others present to inspect the marked copy of the electoral roll which shall be

supplied by the Returning officer and be used during the poll.

55. Challenging of identity.- (1) Any polling agent may challenge the

identity of a person claiming to be a particular elector by first depositing a sum of

two rupees in cash with the presiding officer for each such challenge.

(2) on such deposit being made, the presiding officer shall,-

(i) warn the person challenged of the penalty for personation;

(ii) read the relevant entry in the electoral roll in full and ask him whether he

is the person referred to in that entry;

(iii) enter his name and address in the list of challenged votes in Form- 17;

and

(iv) require him to affix his signature or left thumb impression in the said

list.

(3) The presiding officer shall thereafter hold a summary enquiry into the

challenge and for that purpose may,-

(i) require the challenger to adduce evidence in proof of the challenge and

the person challenged to adduce evidence in proof of his identity;

(ii) put to the person challenged any question for the purpose of establishing

his identity and require him to answer the officer on oath; and

(iii) administer the oath to the person challenged and any other person

offering to give evidence.

(4) If after the inquiry the presiding officer considers that the challenge has

not been established, he shall allow the person challenged to vote and if he

considers that the challenge has been established, he shall debar the person

challenged from voting.

(5) If the presiding officer is of the opinion that the challenge is frivolous or

has not been made in good faith, he shall direct that the deposit made under sub-

rule (1) be forfeited to the Government and in any other case he shall return it to

the challenger at the conclusion of the inquiry.

56. Safeguards against personation.- (1) Every elector about whose identity

the presiding officer or the polling officer, as the case may be, is satisfied, shall

allow his left forefinger to be inspected by the presiding officer or polling officer and

an indelible ink mark to be put on it as far as possible just below the root of the

nail so that the ink also spreads on the ridge between the skin and the root of the

nail.

(2) If any elector refuses to allow his left forefinger to be inspected or marked

in accordance with sub-rule (1) or has already such a mark on his left forefinger or

does any act with a view to remove the ink mark, he shall not be supplied with any

ballot paper or allowed to vote.

(3) Any reference in this rule to the left forefinger of an elector shall, in the

case where the elector has his left forefinger missing be construed as a reference

to any other finger of their left hand and shall in the case where all the fingers of

his left hand are missing be construed as reference to the forefinger or any other

finger of his right hand and in the case where all their fingers of both the hands

are missing shall be construed as a reference to such extremity of his left or right

arm as he possesses.

57. Issue of ballot papers to electors.- (1) Every ballot paper before it is

issued to an elector and the counterfoil attached thereto shall be stamped on the

back with such distinguishing marks as the State Election Commission may direct

and every ballot paper, before it is issued shall be signed in full on its back by the

presiding officer.

(2) at the time of issuing a ballot paper to an elector, the polling officer shall,-

(a) record on its counterfoil, the electoral roll number of the elector as entered

in the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) obtain the signature or thumb impression of the elector on the said

counterfoil; and

indicate that a ballot paper has been issued to him, without, however, recording

therein the serial number of the ballot paper issued to that elector.

Provided that, no ballot paper shall be delivered to an elector unless he has

signed or has put thumb impression on the counterfoil of that ballot paper.

(3) It shall not be necessary for any presiding officer or any polling officer or

any other officer to attest the thumb impression of the elector on the counterfoil.

(4) No person in the polling station shall note down the serial numbers of the

ballot papers issued to particular electors.

58. Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within polling station

and voting procedure.- (1) Every elector, to whom a ballot paper has been issued

under rule 57 or under any other provision of these rules, shall maintain secrecy

of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting

procedure hereinafter laid down.

(2) The elector on receiving the ballot paper shall forthwith;

(i) proceed to one of the voting compartments;

(ii) there make a mark on the ballot paper with instrument supplied for the

purpose on or near the symbol of the candidate for whom he intends to vote;

(iii) fold the ballot paper so as to conceal their vote;

(iv) if required show to the presiding officer the distinguishing mark on the

ballot paper;

(v) insert the folded ballot paper into the ballot box; and

(vi) quit the polling station.

(3) Every elector shall vote without undue delay.

(4) No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another

elector is inside it.

(5) If any elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued, refuses, after

warning given by the presiding officer, to observe the procedure as laid down, in

sub-rule (2), the ballot paper issued to him shall, whether he has recorded his vote

thereon or not, be taken back from him by the presiding officer or a polling officer

under the direction of the presiding officer.

(6) After the ballot paper has been taken back, the presiding officer shall

record on its back the words “cancelled; voting procedure violated” and put his

signature below those words.

(7) All the ballot papers on which the words “cancelled; voting procedure

violated” are recorded, shall be kept in a separate cover which shall bear on its face

the words “ballot papers: voting procedure violated”.

(8) Without prejudice to any other penalty to which an elector from whom a

ballot paper has been taken back under sub-rule (5) may be liable, the vote, if any,

recorded on such ballot paper shall not be counted.

59. Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors.- (1) If the presiding

officer is satisfied that owing to blindness or other physical infirmity an elector is

unable to recognize the symbols on the ballot paper or to make a mark thereon

without assistance, the presiding officer shall permit the elector to take with him a

companion of not less than eighteen years of age to the voting compartment for

recording the vote on the ballot paper on his behalf and in accordance with his

wish and if necessary, for folding the ballot paper so as to conceal the vote and

inserting it into the ballot box:

Provided that, no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more

than one elector at any polling station on the same day.

Provided further that, before any person is permitted to act as the companion

of an elector on any day under this rule the person shall be required to declare that

he shall keep secret, the vote recorded by him on behalf of the elector and that he

has not already acted as the companion of any other elector at any polling station

on that day.

(2) The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form-18 of all cases under

this rule.

60. Tendered votes.- (1) If a person representing himself to be a particular

elector applies for a ballot paper after another person has already voted as such

elector, he shall, on satisfactorily answering such questions relating to his identity

as the presiding officer may ask, be entitled, subject to the provisions of this rule,

to mark a ballot paper (hereinafter in these rules referred to as a “tendered ballot

paper”) in the manner as any other elector.

(2) Every such person shall before being supplied with a tendered ballot

paper, sign his name against the entry relating to him in Form-19.

(3) A tendered ballot paper shall be the same as the other ballot papers used

at the polling except that,-

(a) such tendered ballot paper shall be serially the last in the bundle of

ballot papers issued for use at the polling station; and

(b) such tendered ballot paper and its counterfoil shall be endorsed on the

back with the words “tendered ballot paper” by the presiding officer in

his own hand and signed by him.

(4) The elector, after marking a tendered ballot paper in the voting

compartment and folding it, shall instead of putting it into the ballot box, give it to

the presiding officer, who shall place it in a cover specially kept for the purpose.

61. Closing of the poll.- (1) The presiding officer shall close the polling

station at the hour fixed in that behalf and shall not thereafter admit any elector

into the polling station. Provided that, all electors present at the polling station

before it is closed shall be allowed to cast their votes.

(2) If any question arises whether an elector was present at the polling station

before it was closed, it shall be decided by the presiding officer and his decision

shall be final.

62. Sealing of ballot boxes after the poll.- (1) As soon as practicable after

the closing of the poll, the presiding officer shall close the slit of the ballot box and

where the box does not contain any mechanical device for closing the slit, he shall

seal up the slit and also allow any polling agent to affix his seal.

(2) The ballot box shall thereafter be sealed and secured.

(3) Where it becomes necessary to use a second box by reason of the first

ballot box getting full, the first ballot box shall be closed, sealed and

secured as provided in sub-rules (1) and (2) before any other ballot box is

put into use.

63. Account of ballot papers.- (1) The presiding officer shall, at the close of

the poll, prepare a ballot paper account in Form-20 and enclose it in a separate

cover with the words “Ballot paper Account” super-scribed thereon.

(2) The presiding officer shall furnish to every polling agent present at the

close of the poll, a true copy of the entries made in the ballot paper account after

obtaining a receipt from the said polling agent there for and shall also attest it as

a true copy.

64. Spoilt and returned ballot papers.- (1) An elector who has inadvertently

dealt with his ballot paper in such manner that it cannot be conveniently used as

a ballot paper may, on returning it to the presiding officer and on satisfying him of

the inadvertence be given another ballot paper and the ballot paper so returned

and the counterfoil of such ballot paper shall be marked “Spoilt: Cancelled” by the

presiding officer.

(2) If an elector after obtaining a ballot paper decides not to use it, he shall

return it to the presiding officer and the ballot paper so returned and the counterfoil

of such ballot paper shall be marked as “Returned: Cancelled” by the presiding

officer.

(3) All ballot papers cancelled under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) shall be kept

in a separate packet.

65. Sealing of other packets.- (1) The presiding officer shall then make into

separate packet,-

(a) the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) the counterfoils of the used ballot papers;

the voters;

(d) any other ballot papers not issued to the voters;

(e) the ballot papers cancelled for violation of voting procedure under rule

58;

(f) any other cancelled ballot papers;

(g) the cover containing the tendered ballot papers and the list in Form-

19;

(h) the list of challenged votes; and

(i) any other papers directed by the State Election Commission to be kept

in a sealed packet.

(2) Each such packet shall be sealed with the seal of the presiding officer and

with seal either of the candidate or of his election agent or of polling agent who may

be present at the polling station and may desire to affix his seal thereon.

66. Transmission of ballot boxes, etc. to the Returning officer.- (1) The

presiding officer shall then deliver or cause to be delivered to the Returning officer

at such place as the Returning officer may direct,-

(a) the ballot boxes;

(b) the ballot paper account;

(d) all other papers used at the poll

(2) The Returning officer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe

transport of all ballot boxes, packets and other papers and for their safe custody

until the commencement of the counting of votes;

67. Appointment of counting agent.- (1) A contesting candidate or his

election agent may appoint not more than one counting agent in respect of each

counting table at the place or at each of the place fixed for counting, to be present

as his agent at the time of counting of votes of the ward in which he is a candidate.

(2) Every such appointment shall be made in Form-21 and a copy there of

shall be forwarded to the Returning officer, another copy shall be made over to the

counting agent for production before the Returning officer not later than one hour

before the time fixed for counting of votes.

(3) No counting agent shall be admitted into the place fixed for counting

unless he has delivered to the Returning officer, the second copy of his appointment

under sub-rule (2), after duly completing and signing the declaration contained

therein and receiving from the Returning officer an authority for entry into the place

fixed for counting.

(4) The revocation of an appointment of a counting agent shall be made in

Form-22 lodged with the Returning officer.

(5) In the event of any such revocation before the commencement of the

counting of votes, the candidate or his election agent may make a fresh

appointment in accordance with sub-rule (2).

68. Time and place for counting of votes.- The Returning officer shall, at

least one week before the date fixed for the poll, appoint a place or places where

the counting of votes shall be done and the date and time at which the counting

shall commence and shall give notice of the same in writing to each candidate or

his election agent:

Provided that, if for any reason the Returning officer finds it necessary so to

do, he may alter the date, time and place so fixed or any of them, after giving notice

of the same in writing to each candidate or his election agent.

69. Admission to the place fixed for counting.- (1) The Returning officer

shall exclude, from the place fixed for counting of votes, all persons except,-

(a)

such persons to be known as counting supervisors and counting

assistants, appointed to assist in the counting;

(b)

persons authorized by the State Election Commission;

(c)

public servants on duty in connection with the election; and

(d)

candidates, their election agents and counting agents.

(2) No person who has been employed by or on behalf, of or has been

otherwise working for a candidate in or about the election shall be appointed under

clause (a) of sub-rule (1).

(3) The Returning officer shall decide which counting agent shall watch the

counting at any particular counting table or group of counting tables.

(4) Any person who, during the counting of votes misconducts or fails to obey

the lawful directions of the Returning officer, may be removed from the place where

the votes are being counted, by the Returning officer or by any police officer on

duty or by any person authorized in this behalf by the Returning officer.

70. Maintenance of secrecy of voting.- The Returning officer shall, before

the commencement of the counting read out the provisions of section 53 of the Act,

to such persons as may be present.

71. Counting of votes received by post.- (1) The Returning officer shall first

deal with postal ballot papers in the manner provided in this rule.

(2) No cover in Form 16-B received by the Returning officer after the expiry

of the time fixed in this behalf shall be opened and no vote contained in any such

cover shall be counted.

(3) The other covers shall be opened one after another and as each cover is

opened, the Returning officer shall first scrutinize the declaration in Form-16

contained therein.

(4) If the said declaration is not found or has not been duly signed and

attested or is otherwise substantially defective or if the serial number of the ballot

paper as entered in it differs from the serial number endorsed on the cover in Form

16-A, that cover shall not be opened and after making an appropriate endorsement

thereon, the Returning officer shall reject the ballot paper therein contained.

(5) Each cover so endorsed and the declaration received with it shall be

replaced in the cover in Form 16-B and all such covers in Form 16-B shall be kept

in a separate packet which shall be sealed and on which shall be recorded the name

of the ward the date of counting and a brief description of its contents.

(6) The returning officer shall then place all the declarations in Form-16

which he has found to be in order in separate packet which shall be sealed before

any cover in Form 17-A is opened and on which shall be recorded the particulars

referred to in sub-rule (5).

(7) The covers in Form 16-A, not already dealt with under the foregoing

provisions of this rule shall then be opened one after another and the Returning

officer shall scrutinize each ballot paper and decide the validity of the vote recorded

thereon.

(8) A postal ballot paper shall be rejected, if,-

(i)

it bears any mark (other than the mark to record the vote) or

writing by which the elector can be identified;

(ii)

no vote is recorded there on;

(iii) votes are given on it in favour of more candidates than the

candidates to be elected;

(iv) it is a spurious ballot paper;

(v)

it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot

paper cannot be established; or

(vi) it is not returned in the cover sent along with it to the elector by

the Returning officer.

(9) A vote recorded on the postal ballot paper shall be rejected if the mark

indicating the vote is placed on the ballot paper in such manner as to make it

doubtful to which candidate the vote has been given.

(10) A vote recorded on a postal ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on

the ground that the mark indicating the vote is indistinct or made more than once,

if the intention that the vote shall be for a particular candidate clearly appears from

the way the paper is marked.

(11) The Returning officer shall count all the valid votes given by postal ballot

in favour of each candidate, record the total thereof in the result sheet in Form-23

and announce the same.

(12) Thereafter all the valid ballot papers and all the rejected ballot papers

shall be separately bundled and kept together in a packet which shall be sealed

with the seal of the Returning officer and of such of the candidates, their election

agents as may desire to affix their seals thereon and on the packets so sealed shall

be recorded the name of the ward the date of counting and a brief description of its

contents.

72. Scrutiny and opening of ballot boxes.- (1) The Returning officer shall

open or cause to be opened simultaneously the ballot boxes used at more than one

polling station of a ward and shall have the total number of ballot papers found in

such boxes counted and recorded in part-II of Form20.

(2) Discrepancy, if any, between the total number of such ballot papers

recorded as aforesaid and the total number of ballot papers issued to voters as

shown in item 3 of part-I of Form-20 minus the number of ballot paper cancelled

as shown in item 4 and the number of ballot papers used as tendered ballot papers

as shown in item 5 of that part, shall also be recorded in part-II of Form-20.

(3) Before any ballot box is opened at a counting table, the counting agent

present at that table shall be allowed to inspect the paper seal or such other seal

as might have been affixed thereon and to satisfy himself that it is intact.

(4) The Returning officer shall satisfy himself that none of the ballot box has

been tampered with.

(5) If the Returning officer is satisfied that any ballot box has been tampered

with, he shall not count the ballot papers contained in that box and shall follow

the procedure laid down in rule 36 in respect of that polling station.

73. Counting of votes.- (1) subject to such general or special directions, if

any, as may be given by the State Election Commission in this behalf the ballot

papers taken out of all boxes used in a ward shall be mixed together and then

arranged in convenient bundles and scrutinized.

(2) The Returning officer shall reject a ballot paper, if,-

(i)

it bears any mark or writing by which the elector can be identified;

(ii)

(ii) it bears no mark at all or to indicate the vote it bears a mark

elsewhere than on or near the symbol of the candidate on the face of

the ballot paper or if it bears a mark made otherwise than with the

instrument supplied for the purpose;

(iii) votes are given on it in favour of more candidates than the candidates

to be elected;

(iv) the mark indicating a vote thereon is placed in such manner as to

make it doubtful to which candidate vote has been given;

(v)

it is a spurious ballot paper;

(vi) it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot

paper cannot be established;

(vii) it bears a serial number or is of a design different from the serial

numbers or as the case may be design of the ballot papers authorized

for use at the particular polling station; or

(viii) it does not bear both the mark and the signature which it should have

borne under the provisions of the sub-rule (1) of rule 57.

Provided that, where the Returning officer is satisfied that any such defect

as is mentioned in clause (vii) or clause (viii) has been caused by any mistake or

failure on the part of presiding officer or polling officer, the ballot paper shall not

be rejected merely on the ground of such defect.

Provided further that, a ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on the

ground that the mark indicating the vote is indistinct or made more than once, if

the intention that the vote shall be for a particular candidate clearly appears from

the way the paper is marked.

(3) Before rejecting any ballot paper under sub-rule (2) the Returning officer

shall allow each counting agent present, a reasonable opportunity to inspect the

ballot paper but shall not allow them to handle it or any other ballot paper.

(4) The Returning officer shall endorse on every ballot paper which they reject

the word “rejected” and the grounds of rejection in abbreviated from either in their

own hand or by means of a rubber stamp and shall initial such endorsement.

(5) All ballot papers rejected under this rule shall be bundled together.

(6) Every ballot paper which is not rejected under this rule shall be counted:

Provided that, no cover containing tendered ballot paper shall be opened and

no such ballot paper shall be counted.

(7) After the counting of all ballot papers contained in all the ballot boxes

used in a ward has been completed, the Returning officer shall make the entries in

a result sheet in Form-23 and announce the particulars.

74. Counting to be continuous.- The Returning officer shall, as far as

practicable, proceed continuously with the counting and shall, during any interval

when the counting has to be suspended, keep the ballot papers, packets and all

other papers relating to the election sealed with his own seal and the seals of such

candidates or election agents as may desire to affix their seals and take sufficient

precaution for their safe custody during such interval.

75. Recount of votes.- (1) After the completion of counting, the Returning

officer shall record in the result sheet in Form-23 the total number of votes polled

by each candidate and announce the same.

(2) After such announcement has been made, a candidate or in his absence

his election agent or any of his election agent may apply in writing to the Returning

officer to recount the votes either wholly or in part stating the grounds on which

they demand such recount.

(3) On such an application being made, the Returning officer shall decide the

matter and may allow the application in whole or in part or may reject it in toto if

it appears to him to be frivolous or unreasonable.

(4) Every decision of the Returning officer under sub-rule (3) shall be in

writing and contain the reason there for.

(5) If the Returning officer decides under sub-rule (3) to allow a recount of

the votes either wholly or in part, he shall,-

(i)

do the recounting in accordance with the rules applicable for

counting;

(ii)

amend the result sheet in Form-23 to the extent necessary after

such recount; and

(iii) announce the amendments so made by him.

(6) After the total of votes polled by each candidate has been announced

under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (5), the Returning officer shall complete and sign the

result sheet in Form-23 and no application for recount shall be entertained

thereafter:

Provided that, no step under this sub-rule shall be taken on the completion

of the counting until, the candidate and election agents present at the completion

thereof have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the right conferred by

sub-rule (2).

76. Sealing of used ballot papers.- The valid ballot papers and the rejected

ballot papers shall thereafter be bundled separately and the bundles made in to a

separate packet which shall be sealed with the seals of the Returning officer and of

such of the candidates, their election agents or counting agents, as may desire to

affix their seals thereon and on the packets so sealed shall be recorded the following

particulars, namely:-

(i) the name of the ward; and

(ii) the date of counting

77. Declaration of result of election and return of election.- The

Returning officer shall, subject to the provisions of section 41 of the Act, if and so

far as they apply to any particular case, then,-

(a) declare in Form-24 the candidate to whom the largest number of valid

votes has been given to be elected and send signed copies thereof to

the

Government,

the

State

Election

Commission

and

the

Commissioner; and

(b) complete and certify the returns of election in Form-25 and send

signed copies thereof to the Government, the State Election

Commission and the Commissioner.

78. Grant of certificate of election to the returned candidate.- As soon

as may be after a candidate is declared, by the Returning officer under the

provisions of rules 32 and 77 as elected, the Returning officer shall grant to such

candidate a certificate of election in Form-26 and obtain from the candidate an

acknowledgement of its receipt duly signed by him and immediately send the

acknowledgement to the Commissioner.

CHAPTER- IV

In case of Election by Electronic Voting Machine

79. Design of Electronic Voting Machines.- (1) The provisions of this

chapter shall apply wherever electronic voting machine is used in during the

conduct of elections.

(2) Every electronic voting machine (hereinafter referred to as the voting

machine) shall comprise of two units, a control unit and a balloting unit and shall

be of such design as may be approved by the State Election Commission.

80. Preparation of voting machine by the Returning officer.- (1) The

balloting unit of the voting machine shall contain such particulars in Kannada

language and other languages as the State Election Commission may specify.

(2) The names of the candidates shall be arranged on the balloting unit in

the same order in which they appear in the list of contesting candidates.

(3) If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished

by the addition of their father’s name or residence or in some other manner.

(4) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this rule, the Returning officer

shall,-

(a) fix the label, containing the names and symbol of the contesting

candidates in the balloting unit and secure that unit with his seal and

the seals of such of the contesting candidates or their election agents

present as are desirous of affixing the same.

(b) set the number of contesting candidates and close the candidate set

section in the control unit and secure it with his seal and seals of such

of the contesting candidates or their election agents present as are

desirous of affixing the same.

81. Arrangements at the polling stations.- (1) Outside each polling station

there shall be displayed prominently,-

(a) a notice specifying the polling area, the electors of which are entitled to

vote at the polling station and when the polling area has more than one polling

station, the particulars of the electors so entitled; and

(b) a copy of the list of contesting candidates.

(2) At each polling station there shall be set up one or more voting

compartments in which the electors can record their votes free from observation.

(3) The Returning officer shall provide at each polling station one voting

machine and copies of relevant part of the electoral roll and such other election

material as may be necessary for taking the poll.

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (3), the Returning officer

may, with the previous approval of the State Election Commission, provide one

common voting machine for two or more polling stations located in the same

premises.

82. Admission to polling stations.- The provisions specified under rule 41

shall be followed.

83. Preparation of voting machine for poll.- (1) The control unit and

balloting unit of every voting machine used at polling station shall bear a label

marked with the following details, namely:-

(a) the serial number, if any, and the name of the constituency;

(b) the serial number and name of the polling station or stations as the

case may be;

(d) the date of poll.

(2) Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer

shall demonstrate to the polling agents and other persons present that no vote has

been already recorded in the voting machine and it bears the paper seal referred to

in sub-rule (4).

(3) A paper seal shall be used for securing the control unit of the voting

machine and the presiding officer shall affix his own signature on paper seal and

obtain thereon the signature of such of the polling agents as are desirous of affixing

the same.

(4) The presiding officer shall thereafter fix the paper seal so signed in the

space meant there for in the control unit of the voting machine and shall secure

and seal the same.

(5) The seal used for securing the control unit shall be fixed in such manner

that after the unit has been sealed, it is not possible to press the “result button”

without breaking the seal.

(6) The control unit shall be closed and secured and placed in full view of the

presiding officer and the polling agents and the balloting unit placed in the voting

compartment.

84. Marked copy of the electoral roll.- Immediately before the

commencement of the poll, the presiding officer shall demonstrate to the polling

agents and others present that the marked copy of the electoral roll to be used

during the poll does not contain,-

(a) any entry other than that made in pursuance of rule 47; and

(b) any mark other than the mark made in pursuance of clause (b) of sub

rule (2) of rule 49.

85. Facilities for women electors.- The provisions specified under rule 42

shall be applicable.

86. Identification of electors.- (1) The provisions specified under rule 43

shall be followed. (2) Where the polling station is situated in a ward electors of

which have been supplied with identity cards under the provisions of the

Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 made under the Representation of People Act,

1950, (Central Act 43 of 1950), the elector shall produce his identity card before

the presiding officer or the polling officer authorized by him in this behalf.

87. Facilities for public servants on election duty.- The provisions

specified under rule 44 shall be applicable.

88. Challenging the identity.- The provisions specified under rule 55 shall

be applicable.

89. Safeguards against personation.- (1) The provisions specified under

rule 56 shall be applicable.

(2) If any elector fails or refuses to produce his identity card as required by

sub-rule (3) of rule 86 he shall not be allowed to vote.

(3) Where a poll is taken simultaneously in a parliamentary constituency and

or assembly constituency and a ward, an elector whose left finger has been marked

with indelible ink or who has produced his identity card at one such election, shall

not, withstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) and (2), be permitted to cast

his vote for the other election.

90. Procedure for voting by voting machines.- (1) Before permitting an

elector to vote, the polling officer shall,-

(a) record the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the marked

copy of the electoral roll in a register of voters in Form-27.

(b) obtain the signature or the thumb impression of an elector on the said

indicate that he has been allowed to vote:

Provided that, no elector shall be allowed to vote unless he has put his

signature or thumb impression on the register of voters.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), it shall be necessary

for any presiding officer or polling officer or any other officer to attest the thumb

impression of the elector on the register of voters.

91. Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within the polling

station and voting procedure.- (1) Every elector who has been permitted to vote

under rule 90 shall maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station and for

that purpose observe the voting procedure hereinafter laid down.

(2) Immediately on being permitted to vote the elector shall proceed to the

presiding officer or the polling officer in charge of the control unit of the voting

machine who shall, by pressing the appropriate button on the control unit, activate

the balloting unit for recording of elector’s vote.

(3) The elector shall there after forthwith,-

(a) proceed to voting compartment;

(b) record his vote by pressing the button on the balloting unit against the

name and symbol of the candidate for whom he intends to vote; and

(4) Every elector shall vote without undue delay.

(5) No elector shall be allowed to enter the voting compartment when another

elector is inside it.

(6) If an elector who has been permitted to vote under rule 90 or rule 94

refuses, after warning given by the presiding officer to observe the procedure laid

down in sub-rule (3), the presiding officer or the polling officer under the direction

of the presiding officer, shall not allow such elector to vote.

(7) Where an elector is not allowed to vote under sub-rule (6), a remark to

the effect that voting procedure has been violated shall be made against the

elector’s name in the register of voters in Form-27 by the presiding officer under

his signature.

92. Recording of votes of blind or infirm or visually challenged electors.-

(1) If the presiding officer is satisfied that owing to the blindness or other physical

infirmities an elector is unable to recognize the symbol on the balloting unit of the

voting machine or unable to record his vote by pressing the appropriate button

thereon without assistance, the presiding officer shall permit the elector to take

with him a companion, not less than eighteen years of age, to the voting

compartment for recording the vote on his behalf and in accordance with his wish:

Provided that, no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more

than one elector at any polling station on the same day.

Provided further that, before any person is permitted to act as the companion

of an elector on any day under this rule that person shall be required to declare

that he shall keep secret the vote recorded by him on behalf of the elector and that

he has not already acted as the companion of any other elector at any other polling

station on that day.

(2) The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form-18 of all cases under

this rule.

93. Elector deciding not to vote.- If an elector, after his electoral roll

number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-27 and has put his

signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 90,

decides not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said

entry in Form-27 by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression

of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.

94. Tendered votes.- (1) If a person representing himself to be a particular

elector seeks to vote after another person has already voted as such elector, he

shall, on satisfactorily answering such questions relating to his identity, as the

presiding officer may ask, be instead of being allowed to vote through the balloting

unit, supplied with a tendered ballot paper, which shall be of such design, and the

particulars of which shall be in Kannada and other languages as the State Election

Commission may specify.

(2) Every such elector shall before being supplied with tendered ballot paper

write his name against the entry relating to them in Form 19-A.

(3) Every voter receiving the ballot paper shall forthwith,-

(a) proceed to the voting compartment;

(b) record his vote on the ballot paper by placing a cross mark ‘X’ with the

instrument or article supplied for the purpose on or near the symbol

of the candidate for whom he intends to vote;

(d) show to the presiding officer, if required, the distinguishing mark on

the balloting paper;

(e) give it to the presiding officer who shall place it in a cover specially

kept for the purpose; and

(f) leave the polling station.

(4) If owing to blindness or physical infirmities, such elector is unable to

record his vote without assistance; the presiding officer shall permit him to take

with him a companion, subject to the condition and for following the procedure as

specified under rule 92, for recording the vote in accordance with his wish.

95. Presiding officer’s entry in the voting compartment during poll.-

(1) The presiding officer may, whenever he considers it necessary so to do, enter

the voting compartment during poll and take such steps as may be necessary to

ensure that the balloting unit is not tampered or interfered with in any way.

(2) If the presiding officer has reason to suspect that an elector who has

entered the voting compartment is tampering or otherwise interfering with the

balloting unit has remained inside the voting compartment for unduly long period,

he shall enter the voting compartment and take such steps as may be necessary to

ensure the smooth and orderly progress of the poll.

(3) Whenever the presiding officer enters the voting compartment under this

rule, he shall permit the polling agents present to accompany them if they so desire.

96. Closing of the poll.- The provisions specified under rule 61 shall be

applicable.

97. Account of votes recorded.- (1) The presiding officer shall at the close

of the poll prepare an account of votes recorded in Form 20-A (EVM) and enclose it

in a separate cover with the words “Account of Votes Recorded” super scribed

thereon.

(2) The presiding officer shall furnish to every polling agent, present at the

close of the poll, a true copy of the entries made in Form 20-A (EVM) after obtaining

receipt from the said polling agent there for and shall attest it as a true copy.

98. Sealing of voting machine after poll.- (1) As soon as practicable after

the closing of the poll, the presiding officer shall close the control unit to ensure

that no further votes shall be recorded and shall detach the balloting unit from the

control unit.

(2) The control unit and the balloting shall thereafter be sealed and secured

separately in such manner as the State Election Commission may direct and the

seal used for securing them shall be so affixed that it shall not be possible to open

the units without breaking the seals.

(3) The polling agents present at the polling station, who desire to affix their

seals shall also be permitted to do so.

99. Sealing of other packets.- (1) The presiding officer shall then make into

separate packet,-

(a) the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) the register of voters in Form-27;

19-A;

(d) the list of challenged votes; and

(e) any other papers directed by the State Election Commission to be kept

in a sealed packet.

(2) Each packet shall be sealed with the seal of the presiding officer and with

the seal either of the candidate or his election agent or polling agent who may be

present at the polling station and may desire to affix his seal thereon.

100. Transmission of voting machines, etc. to the Returning officer.- (1)

The presiding officer shall then deliver or cause to be delivered to the Returning

officer at such place, as the Returning officer may direct,-

(a) the voting machine;

(b) the account of votes recorded in Form 20-A (EVM);

(d) all other papers used at the poll. (2) The Returning officer shall make

adequate arrangements for the safe transport of the voting machine,

packets and other papers for the safe custody until the commencement

of the counting of votes.

101. Procedure on adjournment of poll.- (1) If the poll at any polling station

is adjourned under rule 33, provisions of rules 97, 98, 99 and 100 shall, as far as

practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at the hour fixed in that behalf under

rule 61.

(2) When an adjourned poll is recommended under rule 34, the electors who

have already voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed to vote again.

(3) The Returning officer shall provide the presiding officer of the polling

station at which such adjourned poll is held, with the sealed packet containing the

marked copy of the electoral roll, register of voters in Form-27 and a new voting

machine.

(4) The presiding officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the

polling agents present and use the marked copy of the electoral roll for marking

the names of the electors who are allowed to vote at the adjourned poll.

(5) The provisions of rule 2 and rules 79,80,81,82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,

90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 shall apply in relation to the conduct

of an adjourned poll before it was so adjourned.

102. Closing of voting machine in case of booth capturing.- Where the

presiding officer is of the opinion that booth capturing is taking place at a polling

station or at a place fixed for the poll, he shall immediately close the controlling

unit of the voting machine to ensure that no further votes may be recorded and

shall detach the balloting unit from the control unit.

103. Counting of votes where electronic voting machines are used.- In

relation to the counting of votes at a polling station, where voting machine is used

the provisions of rule 2 and rules 67, 68, 69 and 70 shall mutatis mutandis apply.

104. Scrutiny and inspection of voting machines.- (1) The Returning

officer may have the control units of the voting machines used at more than one

polling station, taken up for scrutiny and inspection and votes recorded in such

units counted simultaneously.

(2) Before the votes recorded in any control unit of voting machine are

counted under sub-rule (1), the candidate or his election agent or counting agent

present at the counting table, shall be allowed to inspect the paper seal and such

other vital seals as might have been affixed on the unit and to satisfy themselves

that the seals are intact.

(3) The Returning officer shall satisfy himself that none of the voting

machines has been tampered with.

(4) If the Returning officer is satisfied that any voting machine has been

tampered with, he shall not count the votes recorded in that machine and shall

follow the procedure laid down in rule 35 or rule 36 as may be applicable, in respect

of the polling station, where that machine was used.

105. Counting of votes.- (1) After the Returning officer is satisfied that a

voting machine has not been tampered with, he shall have the votes recorded

therein counted by pressing the appropriate button marked “Result”, provided in

the control unit, whereby the total votes polled and votes polled by each candidate

shall be displayed in respect of each such candidate on the display panel provided

for the purpose in the unit.

(2) As the votes polled by each candidate are displayed on the control unit,

the Returning officer shall have,-

(a) the number of such votes recorded separately in respect of each

candidate in Part-II of Form 20-A (EVM);

(b) Part-II of Form 20-A (EVM) completed in other respects and signed by

the counting supervisor and also by the candidates or their election

agents or counting agents present; and

the particulars so entered in the result sheet announced.

106. Sealing of voting machines.- (1) After the result of voting recorded in

a control unit has been ascertained candidate-wise and entered in Part-II of Form

20-A (EVM) and Form 23-A (EVM), under rule 71(11), 73(7) and 75(1), 75(5), 75(6),

the Returning officer shall reseal the unit with his seal and the seals of such of the

candidates or their election agents present, who may desire to affix the seals

thereon, however that the result of voting recorded in the unit is not obliterated

and the unit retains the memory of such result.

(2) The controlling unit so sealed shall be kept in specially prepared boxes

on which the Returning officer shall record the following particulars, namely:-

(a) the name of the ward

(b) the particulars of the polling station or stations where the control unit

has been used;

(d) date of poll; and

(e) date of counting.

(3) The provisions of rules 74, 75 and 76 shall, so far as may be, apply in

relating to voting by voting machines and any reference in those rules to,-

(a) ballot paper shall be construed as including a reference to such voting

machine; and

(b) any rule shall be construed as a reference to the corresponding rule in

chapter-II or as the case may be, to rule 104 or 105.

107. Custody of voting machines and papers relating to election.- (1) All

voting machines used at an election shall be kept in such custody as the

Commissioner or the State Election Commission, may direct.

(2) All voting machines used at an election shall be kept in the custody of the

concerned district election officer.

(3) The district election officer shall keep in safe custody,-

(a) the packets of unused postal ballot papers with counter foils attached

thereto;

(b) the packets of used postal ballot papers whether valid, tendered or

rejected;

(d) the packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll or as the case may

be;

(e) the packets containing register of voters in Form-27, including voters

slip; and

(f) the packets of the declarations by electors and the attestation of their

signatures.

108. Applicability of central rules, statutory orders, etc.- Without

prejudice to the foregoing provisions, wherever no specific provisions are made in

these rules, the provisions of theConduct of election Rules, 1961 made under the

Representation of the people Act, 1951 and instructions, statutory orders and

clarifications issued by the Election Commissions of India shall mutatis mutandis

apply for the cases under these rules.

CHAPTER-V

109. Filling up of casual vacancies.- The provisions for the election of

Councillors shall, mutatis mutandis be applicable for the purpose of filling up

casual vacancies of the Councillors.

110. Custody of ballot boxes and papers relating to election.- (1) All ballot

boxes used at an election shall be kept in such custody, as the State Election

Commission may direct.

(2) The Returning officer shall keep the following in safe custody, namely:-

(i)

the packets of unused ballot papers with counterfoils attached

thereto;

(ii)

the packets of unused ballot papers whether valid, tendered or

rejected;

(iii)

packets of counterfoils of used ballot papers;

(iv)

the packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(v)

the packets of the declaration by voters and the attestation of their

signatures; and

(vi)

all other papers relating to election.

111. Production and inspection of election papers.- (1) While in the

custody of the Returning officer,-

(a) the packets of unused ballot papers with counterfoil attached thereto;

(b) the packets of used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected;

(d) the packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll; and

(e) the packets of the declaration by voters and the attestation of their

signatures.

shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected by or produced

before, any person or authority except under the orders of a competent court or

tribunal.

(2) Subject to such conditions and to the payment of such fee as the State

Election Commission may direct,-

(a) all other papers relating to the election shall be open to public inspection;

and

(b) copies thereof shall, on application be furnished.

(3) Copies of the returns by the Returning officer forwarded under rule 78

shall be furnished by the Returning officer.

112. Disposal of election papers.- Subject to any directions to the contrary,

given by the State Election Commission or by a competent court or tribunal,-

(a) the packets of unused ballot papers shall be retained for a period of

six months and shall thereafter be destroyed in such manner as the

State Election Commission may direct; and

(b) the other packets, referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 110 shall be

retained for a period of one year and shall thereafter be destroyed:

Provided that, packets containing the counterfoils of used ballot papers shall

not be destroyed except with the previous approval of the State Election

Commission.

as the State Election Commission may direct.

113. Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit.- (1) The deposit made

under rule 12 shall, either be returned to the person making it or his legal

representative or be forfeited to the City Corporations.

(2) Except in cases mentioned in this rule the deposit shall be returned as

soon as practicable, after the result of the election is declared.

(3) If the candidate is not shown in the list of contesting candidates or if he

dies before the commencement of the poll, the deposit shall be returned as soon as

practicable, after the publication of the list or after the death, as the case may be.

(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (3), the deposit shall be forfeited if,

at an election where a poll has been taken, the candidate is not elected and the

number of valid votes polled by him does not exceed one-sixth of total number of

valid votes polled by all the candidates divided by the number of members to be

elected.

Provided that, in the case of a candidate belonging to backward classes,

scheduled castes, scheduled tribes or women, the deposit shall not be forfeited

unless the number of valid votes polled by him is less than one-sixteenth of the

total number of valid votes polled.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (2), (3) and (4), if a

candidate is contesting in more than one ward, not more than one of the deposits

shall be returned and the others shall be forfeited.

114. Punishment for contravention of rules.- Any person who contravenes

any of these rules shall, on conviction be punished with fine which may extend to

five hundred rupees.

115. Report of casual vacancy in a City Corporations.- When a casual

vacancy occurs in the office of a Councillor, the Commissioner shall give notice of

such vacancy within seven days from the date of its occurrence, to the State

Election Commission. The State Election Commission shall thereupon take action

in the manner provided in these rules for the election of a Councillor in such

vacancy.

CHAPTER –VI

116. Manner of serving the order of requisition of premises, vehicles

etc.- An order of requisition under section 69 of the Act, shall be served,-

(a) where the person to whom such order is addressed is a City Corporations

or firm, in the manner provided for the service of summons in rule 2 of Order XXIX

or rule 3 of Order XXX, as the case may be, in the First schedule to the Code of

Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908); and

(b) where the person to whom such order is addressed is an individual,-

(i) personally by delivering or tendering the order;

(ii) by registered post; or

(iii) if the person cannot be found, by leaving an authentic copy of the order

with any adult member of his family or by affixing such copy to some

conspicuous part of the premises in which he is known to have last

resided or carried on business or personally worked for gain.

117. Presiding officer for election of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and members

of the Standing Committees.- The Chief Commissioner of the GBA shall be the

presiding officer, in the first meeting of the City Corporations held after the

general election and in every subsequent meeting, held for the purpose of election

of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and members of the Standing Committees.

118. Filing of nominations.- Not less than two hours before the time fixed

for the meeting for the election of Mayor, any Councillor may nominate another

Councillor for being elected as Mayor, be delivering to the presiding officer a

nomination paper.

119. Councillors to nominate not more than one candidate.- No

Councillor shall nominate, under rule 118, more than one candidate for the office

of the Mayor:

Provided that, if a Councillor nominates more than one candidate for the

office of the Mayor, the nomination which is received first by the presiding officer

shall be considered for scrutiny.

120. Scrutiny of nominations.- After the commencement of the meeting,

the presiding officer shall scrutinize all the nomination papers delivered to him

under section 38 of the Act and shall read out to the Councillors present at such

meeting, the names of the Councillors who in their opinion have been duly

nominated together with those of the proposers.

121. Withdrawal of candidature.- (1) Any candidate may withdraw his

candidature by notice in writing subscribed by them and delivered to the presiding

officer, immediately after the scrutiny of nomination papers under rule 120.

(2) The notice may be given either by the candidate in person or by his

proposer who is authorised in this behalf in writing, by the candidate.

(3) No person who has given a notice of withdrawal of his candidature under

sub-rule (1) shall be allowed to cancel the notice of withdrawal.

(4) The presiding officer shall, on being satisfied as to the genuineness of the

notice of withdrawal and the identity of the person delivering it under sub-rule (2),

read out to the Councillors present at such meeting, the names of the persons

withdrawing their candidature.

122. Procedure in contested and uncontested elections.- (1) After the

time fixed for withdrawal is over, if there is only one candidate who has been validly

nominated and had not withdrawn his candidature in the manner and within the

time specified, the presiding officer shall forthwith declare such candidate to be

duly elected as Mayor.

(2) If the number of candidates who have been validly nominated and who

have not withdrawn their candidature is more than one, then the presiding officer

shall proceed to conduct the election as hereinafter provided.

(3) Votes shall be taken by show of hands and the Councillors voting for and

against any candidate shall record their votes in the proceedings register, by

signing it or affixing the left hand thumb impression at the appropriate column.

(4) Any member present at the meeting may refrain from voting, if he so

chooses.

(5) After voting by all the Councillors, present and wishing to vote, the

presiding officer shall declare that the candidate to whom the highest number of

valid votes have been given, has been duly elected.

(6) When an equality of valid votes is found to exist between any two or more

candidates and the addition of one vote shall entitle any of those candidates to be

declared as elected, the presiding officer shall forthwith decide between those

candidates by lot, in such manner as he may determine and proceed as if the

candidate on whom the lot falls has received an additional vote. He shall thereafter

declare the candidate on whom the lot falls to have been duly elected.

(7) The presiding officer shall cause a record of the minutes of the meeting

which shall contain the names of all the Councillors present and in the case of a

division, the manner of their voting, including abstentions. The minutes shall be

signed by the presiding officer and the Councillors present. The minutes shall be

made available to any Councillor for inspection.

Explanation: For the purpose of this rule “Councillor present” means

Councillor present at the meeting and whose name has been recorded before

declaring a Councillor duly elected under this rule or before commencement of the

meeting, after withdrawal of candidature under sub-rule (4) of rule 121 for the

office of Mayor.

123. Election of deputy mayor.- (1) After the election of the Mayor the

presiding officer shall proceed to conduct the election of the Deputy Mayor. (2) The

provisions of the rules applicable to election of the Mayor in this chapter shall

mutatis mutandis apply to the election of Deputy Mayor.

124. Reservation of offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.- (1)The

reservation of the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the City Corporations shall

be published by the Government from time to time.

(2) The offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor reserved for scheduled caste and

scheduled tribe in the State shall be allotted by the Government to the City

Corporations having the highest percentage of population belonging to the

scheduled caste and scheduled tribe with reference to the total population of the

city:

Provided that, both the offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor in the City

Corporations shall not be allotted in favour of the category of scheduled castes only.

(3) The offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of the City Corporations,

reserved for backward classes and those of unreserved category shall be allotted

by the Government to City Corporations, taking into consideration such factors as

the Government may deem fit.

(4) The offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor reserved for women in

each category referred to in sub-section (1) shall be allotted by the Government as

it may deem fit:

Provided that, both the offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of the City

Corporations may not be reserved for women.

(5) The offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor in the City Corporations

of the State to scheduled caste or scheduled tribes, women and backward classes

for the subsequent terms, be determined by the Government from time to time into

consideration such factors as it may deem fit:

Provided that, if the reservation worked out to any category is less than 0.5

percent then no office of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor be reserved to such

category.

125. Election of members to the Standing Committee.- After the election

of the Deputy Mayor the presiding officer shall proceed to conduct the election of

the members of the Standing Committees in accordance with section 98 and 118

of the Act.

126. Election of chairman to the Standing Committees.- (1) The members

of a Standing Committee shall, at its first meeting elect one of its members as

chairman.

(2)The Mayor, who is an ex-officio member of the Standing Committees, shall

preside over the meeting of the standing committees for the purpose of electing the

chairman.

127. Record of proceedings.- Immediately after the meeting the presiding

officer shall,-

(a) prepare a record of the proceedings of the meeting and attest with his

initials every correction made therein. He may permit any Councillor present at the

meeting to affix his signature to such record if he expresses to do so; and

(b) forward the name of the person elected as the Mayor and the Deputy

Mayor, to the City Corporations for publication in the official Gazette.

CHAPTER–VII

128. Election petition.- (1) No election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor,

members and the Chairman of the Standing Committees shall be called in question,

except by an election petition before the District Judge having jurisdiction over the

local limits of the City Corporations, presented by any candidate in such election,

on one or more grounds specified in rule 130 and 131. The Election petition under

this rule shall be accompanied by a deposit of two hundred rupees as security for

costs.

(2)Every petition under sub-rule (1), shall be accompanied by as many copies

as there as respondents mentioned in the petition and every such copy shall be

attested by the petitioner under his signature to be a true copy of the petition.

(3) The petitioner shall join as respondents, to his petition, where the

petitioner in addition to claiming a declaration that the election of the returned

candidate is void, claims a further declaration that he himself or any other

candidate has been duly elected, all the contesting candidates other than the

petitioner and where no such further declaration is claimed, the returned

candidate.

(4)(i) A petition under sub-rule (1) shall,-

(a) contain a concise statement of materials on which the petitioner relies;

and

(b) shall be signed by the petitioner as verified in the manner laid down in

the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908) for the verification of

pleadings.

(ii) Any schedule or annexure to the petition shall be signed by the petitioner

and verified in the same manner as the petition.

(5)The petitioner may claim any of the following declarations, namely:- (a)

that the election of the returned candidate is void; or

(b) that the election of the returned candidate is void and he himself or any

other candidate has been duly elected.

129. Procedure.- The district judge may, after such inquiry as he deemed fit

and after giving an opportunity to be heard to the parties to the proceedings, make

an order,-

(a) dismissing the petition;

(b) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void; or

petitioner or any other candidate to have been duly elected.

130. Grounds for declaring the election of the returned candidate to be

void.- If the district judge is of the opinion,-

(a) that the result of the election has been materially affected,-

(i) by the improper reception or refusal of a vote; or

(ii) by non-compliance with the provision of the Act or rules;

(b) that the nomination of any candidate has been wrongly rejected or that

the nomination of the successful candidate or of any other candidate who has not

withdrawn his candidature has been wrongly accepted;

then the district Judge shall declare the election of the returned candidate

to be void.

131. Grounds on which the candidate other than the returned candidate

may be declared to have been elected.- If any candidate who has presented the

election petition has, in addition to calling in question the election of the returned

candidate, claims declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly

elected and the district judge shall, after declaring the election of the returned

candidate to be void, declare the petitioner or such other candidate, as the case

may be to have been duly elected:

Provided that, the petitioner or such other candidate shall not be declared to

be duly elected, if it is proved that the election of such candidate would have been

void, if he had been the returned candidate and a petition had been presented

calling in question his election.

By Order and in the name of the

Governor of Karnataka,

(NANDAKUMAR B.)

Under Secretary to Government,

Urban Development Department

(BBMP-2 and Coordination).

Form-1

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule10)

NOTIFICATION

No.

Date:……………….

Whereaselectionsaretobeheld:

(1)

TofilltheseatsoftheelectedCouncillorsofthe

Bengaluru……………………..City CorporationoftheGreater Bengaluru

Area established under the provisions of the Greater Bengaluru Governance

Act,

2024,fromthevariouswardsofthesaid

City

Corporation,detailsofwhicharementionedin the Annex to this Notification.,

(2) Tofillthevacancycausedby*thedeathof/resignationof/electionof

…………………………havingbeendeclared void

seat

……………….………….#wardhavingbecome/havingbeendeclaredvacant.

Now therefore in pursuance of rule 10 of the Greater Bengaluru

Governnce (Election) Rules, 2025, I …………………………………

Commissioner,

Bengaluru

……………………………

City

Corporationherebyfixthefollowingcalendarofeventsinrespect of the said

elections.

Lastdateformakingnominations

………………………

dateandday

Thedateforthescrutinyofnominations

………………………

dateandday

Thelastdateforwithdrawalof

Candidatures

………………………

dateandday

Thedateonwhichapollshallifnecessarybet

aken

………………………

dateandday

The date before which theelection shall

be Completed

………………………

dateandday

Commissioner

(*Scoreouttheclause notapplicable

#Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.)

AnnextoForm1

Sl.

No.

Nameoftheward

CategoryorReservation

Commissioner/

Deputy Commissioner

Form-1A

(seesub-rule(3)ofrule10)

NoticeofElection

Noticeisherebygiventhat:

1. An election will be held to elect a Councillor to B e n ga l u ru

……………………………… *City Corporation from………………………*ward

reserved for Backward ClassA /B**/ScheduledCaste/ Scheduled Tribe

and Woman.

Forms of nomination paper may be obtained at the office of the

Returning officer between 11AM to 3PM. On any day other than a public

holiday from…………........................(date) to

… ............................. (date).

Nomination papers may be delivered by a candidate or their

proposer to the Returning officer between 11AM to 3AM. On any day

other than a public holiday not later than the

… ................................ date.

4. The nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at ............................

(time) on………………………(date)at ............. (place).

5. Notice of withdrawal of candidature may be delivered by a

candidate/ his proposer of theirElection Agent to the returning officer at

their office before 3:00P.Monthe

(date)

6. In the event of the election being contested the poll will be taken

on………………… (date) between the hours ……………………… and

………….........

Place : ………………

Date:……………….

ReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strike offtheinappropriatealternative)

Form-2

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule12)

Nominationpaper

Electionof Councillors tothe

Bengaluru…………………………..

CityCorporationfrom……………………………………ward.

We/I*nominateSri/Smt…………………………………..as

candidate for election of Councillors to the Bengaluru ……………….

City

Corporation

from ....................................................................................................... ,

ward, Reserved for Backward Class(A)or(B)/Scheduled Caste/Scheduled

Tribe/Woman.

Candidate’s Name: Sri/Smt …………………………………..

His/ Her father’s / husband’s name : ……………………

Postal Address:…………………………………..

His/her name is entered at Sl.no………………in part No of the

Electoral roll for .......... ward.

Ournamesareenteredintheelectoralrollasmentionedhereunder:

Sl.

No.

Name

propos

Age

Ward No. Part No/

Sl. No (as entered in

electoral Roll)

Signatu

Passport

Size

Photogra

Affix

Passportsiz

e photo of

Candidate

here

No.ofproposersrequiredforcontestingtheelectionis:

Sl.No

UrbanLocalBody

No.of proposers required to

contest

As recognized

party

candidate

As an

independe

candidate

City Corporation

ONE

SIX

(To be filled by the candidate)

I,the above mentioned candidate as sent to the nomination and here

by declare,-

(a)

That I have completed ...................................... years of age.

(b) That I am a Woman.

(c)

That I am member of……….Class/Caste/Tribe which is Backward

Class (A) of

(B) ** Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe of the State of Karnataka. A

copy of the Backward Class (A)/(B)/Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe

Certificate issued in my favour by the competent authority is enclosed.

+(d)That I am set up at this election by ..... recognized/registered

party.

(e) That the symbols I have chosen in the order of preferenceare

(i) ……………….(ii)……………….and(iii)…………………………….

Date : ………………..

Signature

the

Candidate (To be filled by Returning Officer)

Sl.No.of nomination paper…………………..

This nomination was delivered to me at my office at ………………… (hour)

on ……….. (date) by the Candidate/ Proposer Sri/Smt (Name).

Date:……………….. ReturningOfficer

(* Scoreoutthealternativenotapplicable.

**Strikeofftheinappropriate alternative

+Scoreouttheclauseifnotapplicable

Decision of the Returning Officer accepting orrejecting the

Nomination paper.

I have examined this nomination paper in accordance with Rule12 of

the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Election) Rules, 2025 and decide as

follows.

Date:……………………

ReturningOfficer

………………………………….………....Perforation………………………………………

Receipt for nomination paper and notice of scrutiny

(To be handed over to the person presenting

the nomination paper) Serial number of the

Nomination paper …………………………….

The nomination paper of ................... a candidate for election from

…………..*ward

the

Bengaluru…………………………

C i t y

C orporation

a s

delivered

office

at……………………...(hours)on………date)by the candidate/ proposer**

Sri/Smt. …………………………………

All nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at ……………

(hour) on ………………(date) at

(place).

Date:………………..

ReturningOfficer

(*Appropriateparticulars oftheElectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strikeofftheinappropriate alternative)

Form-3

(seerule14)

Notice of Nomination

Election of Councillors to Bengaluru …………………… City

Corporation

from

....................................................................................................... *

ward

Reserved for Backward Class (A)or(B)**/Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/

Woman.

Notice is here by given that the following nominations in respect of

the above election have been received up to 3:00 P.M today.

Sl.No

No.ofNominationPapers

NameoftheCandidate

Nameofthefather/husband

AgeofCandidate

Address

Party/Independent

Particulars of Backward class(A)(B)**/ SC/ST

inrespect of candidates belonging to BC(A) or (B)/

SC/ST

Part No. of the Electoral roll and Sl. No. of

Candidate

Name & Part no. of the Electoral Roll and Sl. No.

of theproposerofthecandidate

Date:………………..

ReturningOfficer

Place:………………….

(* AppropriateparticularsoftheElectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strikeofftheinappropriatealternative)

Form-4

(see sub-rule(7) of rule15)

List of validly nominated candidates

Election of Councillors to Bengaluru…………………..

C i t y

Corporation from

……………………………*ward

Reserved

for

Backward

Class

(A)or(B)**/Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

Sl No.

Name of the

Candidate

Name of the

father/husband

Address of the

candidate

Place:………………

Date:………………..

ReturningOfficer

(*Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strikeofftheinappropriate alternative

Form-5

(see sub-rule(1)of rule16)

Notice of Withdrawal

Election of Councillor to the Bengaluru………………….. City Corporation from the

… ...................... *ward

reserved

for

Backward

Class(A)or(B)**/Scheduled

Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Woman.

To:

The Returning Officer,

……………………………..

I,………………………a candidate validly nominated at the above

election do hereby submit that I withdraw my candidature.

Place:………………

Date:……………….. Signature of the Candidate

Receipt of Notice of Withdrawal

(To be handed over to the person delivering the notice)

The notice of withdrawal of candidature by…………………….a validly

nominated candidate at the election to the………………….*ward was

delivered to me by the +………………………………………….

office ………………….

(hour) on …..…

(date).

Place:………………

Date:………………..

Returning Officer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strike offtheinappropriatealternative

+Hereinsertoneofthefollowingalternativesasmaybeappropriate)

(1) Candidate

(2) Candidate’s proposer who has been authorized in writing by the

Candidate to deliver it.

Candidate’s election agent who has been authorized in writing by the Candidate

to deliver it

Form-6

(seesub-rule(4)ofrule16)

NoticeofwithdrawalofCandidature

ElectionoftheCouncillorstothe

Bengaluru……………..

CityCorporationfromthe

………………..*wardreservedforBackwardClass(A)or(B)**/ScheduledCaste/

Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

Notice is hereby given that the following candidate/ candidates at

the above election withdrew his/ her candidature/ their candidatures **

today :

Sl.

No.

Nameofthe

Candidate

Address

theCandid

ate

Remarks

Place:………………

Date:………………..

ReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strikeofftheinappropriate alternative)

Form-7

(seesub-rule(6)ofrule17)

ListofContestingCandidates

ElectionoftheCouncillorstothe

Bengaluru………………City

Corporationfrom

……………………………………..*wardreservedforBackwardClass(A)or(B)**

/ScheduledCaste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

Sl.

No.

Nameofth

Candida

Addres

s ofthe

Candidate

Symbolallotted

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

**Strikeofftheinappropriate alternative)

Form-8

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule23)

AppointmentofElectionAgent

ElectionofCouncillorstothe

Bengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfromthe

… ............................ *ward.

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

……………………………..

I,………………………………………….aCandidateattheaboveelection

dohereby

appointSri

................................................ (NameandAddress)asmyelectionagentfr

omthisdayat

theaboveelection.

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofCandidate

Iaccepttheaboveappointment

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofElectionAgent

Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.)

Form-9

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule23)

RevocationofAppointmentofElectionAgent

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporation

fromthe

… ........................................ *ward.

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

……………………………..

I,………………………………………….aCandidateattheaboveelection

dohereby revoke the appointment of ........... , my election agent.

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofCandidate

Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.)

Form-10

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule24)

AppointmentofPollingAgent*

ElectionofCouncillorsto

theBengaluru……………………..CityCorporationfromthe

… ....................................... **ward.

I,……………………………………aCandidate/***theelectionagentof ..... whois

acandidateattheaboveelectiondoherebyappoint…………………..(Nameandaddre

ss)asa

PollingAgenttoattendPollingStationNo………………..at(Place)………………….Fixe

dfor poll at (time) ………..

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofCandidate/***ElectionAgent

Place :

………………

Date:………………

IagreetoactasPollingAgent.

SignatureofPollingAgent

DeclarationofPollingAgenttobesignedbeforethePresidingOfficer.

Iherebydeclarethatattheaboveelection,Iwillnotdoanythingforbiddenbysect

ion 53of theGreater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024 whichI

haveread/hasbeenreadovertome.

SignatureofPollingAgen

Signed before

PresidingOffic

Date:……………………

(*Tobehandedovertoproduction atthepollingstation

orattheplacefixedforthe poll.

**Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinsertedhere.

***Scoreoffinappropriatealternative.)

Section 53oftheGreater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024

“53. Maintenanceofsecrecyofvoting:

(1) Every officer, employee, agent or other person who performs any

duty in connection with therecording or counting of votes at an election under

this Act shall maintain and aid in maintaining, the secrecy of the voting and

shall not, except for some purpose authorized by or under any law,

communicateto any person any information calculate to violate such secrecy.

(2) Any person who contravenes the provision of sub-section (1) shall, on

conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend

tothreemonths orwith fine or with both.”

Form-11

(seesub-rule(4)ofrule24)

RevocationofAppointmentofPollingAgent

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfromth

… ......................... *ward.

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

……………………………..

I,………………………….aCandidate/**ElectionAgentof ............... attheabove

electionherebyrevoketheappointmentofPollingAgent………….…..atthePollingStatio

nNo

……………..at ............... (Place)

Place:………………

Date : ………………..

Signature of

Candidate /

Election Agent

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobe inserted.

**Scoreofftheinappropriatealternative)

Form-11A

(see sub-rule (1) of rule 27)

Particulars of account of election

expenses

PART-1

NameoftheCandidateandadd

ress

WardNumberandNameofthe

Ward

Nameof the City Corporation

DetailsofElection

General/ByeElection

DateofannouncementofElecti

Nameof

theElectionAgentandaddress

Whether

youbelongtoapoliticalparty

Yes/No

Ifyes,nameofthepoliticalparty

Whetherthepoliticalpartyisar

ecognised political party

Ifrecognised,whetheritisanat

ional/state party

NationalParty/StatePar

Whetheryourpoliticalpartyis

meetingyour election

expenses officially?

Yes/No

Whether

any

otherorganisation

Society/Individualismeeting

yourelection expenses?

Yes/No

yesnameandcompleteaddres

softhesame

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

PART-2

REGISTEROFDAILYEXPENSES

NameoftheCandidateandaddress:

Nameofthepoliticalpartyifhe/shebelongsto:

Nameofthewardwherehe/sheiscontesting

Nameofthe CityCorporation

Dateofelectionofresult:

Nameoftheelectionagentandaddress:

DETAILSOFDAILYEXPENSES

Date of

expendit

ure

Item of

expendit

ure

Name and

address of

individual/politic

party/organizatio

n/ society

Amoun

Name

and

address

receiver

amount

Voucher

numberwh

ere

amounts

are paid

Remarks

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Instructions:

(1) This register should be entered every day and the same should be

produced to any officerfor inspection authorised by the State Election

Commission at any time.

(2) Extractofentriesoftheseregistersaftertheelectionshouldbesubmittedal

ongwithan affidavit to thereturning officer within thirty days from the dateof

announcementof theresult.

(3) Vouchersshouldbeprescribedundersubrule(2),(3)and(4)ofRule27shall

be produced without fail.

(4) Detailsofexpensesshallbesignedbythecandidatethemselves.

(5) Itisnotnecessarytoincludethedetailsoftravelexpensesmadebytheleader

sof political parties campaigning for the candidate as the same cannot be

construed as expenditure of the candidate.

(6) Apartfromdetailsofexpenditureincurredbythecandidatethemselvesorb

ytheir

election

agent,

the

details

expenditure

any

individual/society/organisation for the election of the candidate shall be

provided in the register.

PART-3

Abstract statement of expenditure by the candidate, his or her election

agent, political party, organisation, society and individuals on the

candidate forelection purposes

Details of

expenditur

Particulars of

individual/s/political

party/society/organisa

tion

Total

expendit

ure

incurred

Candidate

and

his/herele

ction agent

Political

party

which has

recognisedt

candidate

Other

society/organisatio

ns and

individual/s

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Rs.

Itemsofexpenditure

Amount

Publicfunctions,processionsetc.

Pamphlets, Posters, banners, video and

audio casettes, loudspeakers and other

campaign materials

Electronic/printmedia(includingcablenetwor

Vehiclesusedandexpensesoffuelonthesevehicl

Erection of Gates, gantries, cut outs, archs

and banners for election campaign.

Programmeofvisitofleaders

Programmeofvisitofotherofficebearers

Otherexpenditure

TotalExpenditure

Details of financial assistance received

Sl.

No.

Particulars

Amountreceived

Politicalparty

Other society/organisation (name

and address to be provided)

Other individuals (name and

address to be provided

PART-4

Detailsofexpenditureonvehiclesused

(Detailsofexpenditureonvehiclesusedforcampaigningshouldbegiven.Thiss

hould

include

details

vehicles

used

political

party,

other

societies/organisations/individuals (excluding star campaigners of political

parties)

Vehicle

No.

Typeof

vehicle

Datesof

use

Expensesonfuel,maintenance,hirecharges/drive

rssalary

Candidate/

Electionagent

Political

Party

Other

societies/organisation

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Total(column4+5+6)Rs.

PART-5

Details of expenditure on public meetings

Date

meeti

Placeof

meetin

Authority

which has

granted

permissio

nto the

meeting

Hire

chargesf

erection

ofpendal

and

furnitur

Hire charges

for public

announcement

system

Other

expenditur

Total

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Partsofamountshownincolumn(7)

Candidate/ElectionAge

PoliticalParty

Othersocieties

/organisation/

individuals

(8)

(9)

(10)

Totalofcolumns(8+9+10)

(11)

PART-6

Details of expenditure of travel by leaders of politicalparties

SlNo

Nameof

leader

Detailsofarrival

Detailsofstay

Date

arrival

ward

Modeof

travel

Travel

expenditure

paid (if

known)

Periodof

stay in

ward

Expenditur

e for

localmovem

ents

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Totalexpenditure:..........................................

DECLARATIONOFCANDIDATE

DetailsofstatementsmadeinPart1toPart6aretruetothebestofmyknowledgean

dbelief.

CANDIDATE

Note : Any incomplete or false information furnished or any information is

suppressed by thecandidate will attract penalty under Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita

(BNS).

DECLAREDBEFOREMEON..........................

........

RETURNINGOFFICER

Form-11B

(see sub-rule (5) of rule

27) Format of Declaration

FORMATOFAFFIDAVIT

Whilelodgingexpenditurestatementbythecandidate,

SwornbeforetheReturningOfficer,.....................Ward,...............

I,Sri/Smt........................................bin........................aged................years

residingat

. ....................................... doherebysolemnlyaffirmandstateonoathasfollows:

Isubmitthataftergoingthroughtherecords,Ihaveacquaintedmyselfwiththefact

softhe

case.

1. Iamacandidatecontestingforelectionto........................wardof

Bengaluru…………………..CityCorporationand

resultsofelectionisdeclaredon...............................

2. I

havemaintained

ofdetailsofelection

expenses

from

thedateofnomination till the declaration of the result (both days inclusive).

3. I have maintained the details of expenditure in the formats and

registers prescribed by the State Election Commissionand have submitted the

same along with vouchers and bills.

4. Detailsofexpenditurefurnishedbymeincludesinrelationtomyself,myelec

tionagent and political party and others as prescribed and I have not left or

suppressed any expenditure that is incurred.

5. Electionexpensesstatementmadein

Part2includes

the

expenditureincurredby myself, my election agent and political party which

supported me.

Place:

Date:

Declared beforeme on

Place:

Date:

DEPONENT

ReturningOfficer

Form-11C

(seesub-rule(5)ofrule27)

RECEIPT

ReceivedaccountsofexpenditureincurredontheelectionfromSri/Smt…………

……...

.................................,

from

the candidate.

The

result

election

of Councillor for

..............................wardisdeclaredon.........................................

Place

Date

RETURNINGOFFICER

. ......................... WARD

Form-12

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule32)

DeclarationofResultsofElecti

on (To be used when the seat is

uncontested)

ElectionoftheCouncillorstotheCorporationBengaluru…………………..Cityfro

…………………………..*wardreservedforBackwardClass(A)or(B)**/Scheduled

Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

Inpursuanceoftheprovisionscontainedinrule32oftheGreater Bengaluru

Governance (Election) Rules, 2025 I declare that :

Name ……………………………………………

Address………………………………………….

+Sponsoredby……………………………….(nameoftherecognised/registeredPoli

tical party) hasbeendulyelectedto fill thevacancytothesaid CityCorporation from

theaboveward.

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobe inserted

**Scoreofftheinappropriatealternative

+ Strikeoftheclauseifnotapplicable)

Form-12A

(seerule32)

DeclarationofResultsofElection

(For use in election of Councillors to City

Corporations to fill casual vacancy when the seat is

uncontested)

ElectionoftheCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfro

mthe……………………………………..*wardreservedforBackwardClass(A)or(B)*

*/ScheduledCaste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

Inpursuanceoftheprovisionscontainedinrule32oftheGreater Bengaluru

Governance (Election) Rules, 2025 I declare that:

Name ………………………………………….…

Address………………………………………….

+Sponsoredby..................................(nameoftherecognised/registeredPolit

icalparty)has been duly electedto fillthe vacancy caused in that City

Corporation from the aboveward.

Resignation of

………………………………. Death of

………………………………………

Election of ................... been declared

void,

Seatof

................................ *wardhavingbecomevacant/havingbeendeclaredvacan

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobe inserted.

**Scoreofftheinappropriatealternative

+ Strikeoftheclauseif notapplicable.)

Form-13

(seeclause(a)ofsub-rule(2)ofrule44)

ApplicationforElectionDutyCertificate

To:

TheReturningOfficer

…………………………………

………………………………

…. Sir,

IintendtocastmyvoteattheensuingelectionofCouncillorstothe City

CorporationoftheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom the………..

.............................................................. *ward.

IhavebeenpostedonelectiondutytoapollingstationotherthantheoneatwhichIa

m entitled to Vote.

MynameisenteredatSl.No…………………inPartNo.……………………..ofthe

Electoral roll for ................ * ward.

I request that Election Duty Certificate in Form No. 14 may be issued to

enable me to vote atthe polling station where I may be on duty on the polling

day. It may be sent to me at the following address.

…………………………………..

………………………………….. …………………………………..

Place:………………

Date:………………..

Yoursfaithfully

(* Appropriateparticularstobeinserted.)

Form-14

(seeclause(a)ofsub-rule(2)ofrule44)

ElectionDutyCertificate

Certificatethat……………………………….s/o……………………isanelectorinthe

………………………..*ward,theirnameisatSl.No.………………ofPartNo.

……………………oftheelectoralrollof……………………………..*Wardthatbyreason

of them being on election duty, they are unableto vote at the polling station,

where

they

are

entitled

tovoteandassuchisherebyauthorizedtovoteatanypollingstation,withinthewardh

emaybeon duty on the date of poll.

Place:………………

Date:………………..

SignatureofReturningOfficer

Seal

(* Appropriateparticularstobeinserted.)

Form-15

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule44andrule47)

LetterofIntimationtoReturningOfficerrequestingForaPostalBallotPa

per

To:

TheReturningOfficer

…………………………………

Sir,

IintendtocastmyvotebypostattheensuringelectionofCouncillorstothe

Bengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom *ward.

MynameisenteredatSl.No…………………inPartNo.……………………..ofthe

electoral roll of ................. * ward.

Theballotpapermaybesenttomeatthefollowingaddress.

…………………………………..

Place:………………

Date:………………..

Yoursfaithfully

Signature

(* AppropriateparticularsoftheElectiontobeinserted.)

Form-16

Declarati

(seeclause(i)ofsub-rule(1)ofrule49)

(Thissidetobeusedonlywhentheelectorsignsthedeclarationhimself)

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfromth

… ......... *ward.

IherebydeclarethatIamtheelectortowhomthepostalballotpaperbearingserialn

umber

… .................. hasbeenissuedattheaboveelection.

Signature of the

Elector

Address:…………………

...

………………………………

Date:………………………..

ATTESTATIONOFSIGNATURE

Theabove has been signed in my presence by ……………………… (elector)

who ispersonally known to me/ has been identified to my satisfaction by

…………… (identifier) who is personally known to me ………………………..

Signature of the Attesting

Officer Designation:

Address:

Signature of the Identifier, If

any Address:

Date:

(Thissideistobeusedwhentheelectorcannotsignhimself)

IherebydeclarethatIamtheelectortowhomthepostalballotpaperbearingSerialnum

ber

… .....................................hasbeenissuedattheaboveelection.

Date :

Signature of Attesting Officer on

behalfof Elector Address of Elector

…………………….

……………………………………………..

…………………………………………………….

CERTIFICATE

Iherebycertifythat:–

(1) the above named elector is personally known to me/ has been

identified to my satisfaction by

(identifier) who is personally

known to me;

(2) Iamsatisfiedthattheelectorisilliterate/suffersfrom………………………….

(infirmity)andisunabletorecordtheirvotethemselforsigntheirdeclaration;

(3) Iwasrequestedbythemtomarktheballotpaperandtosigntheabovedeclara

tionon their behalf; and

(4) theballotpaperwasmarkedandthedeclarationsignedbymeontheirbehalf

intheir presence and in accordance with their wishes.

SignatureoftheIdentifier,Ifany

SignatureoftheAttestingOfficer

Address:………………………..

Designation:……………………

………………………………….

Address:………………………..

………………………………….

Date:…………………………..

(*AppropriateparticularsoftheElectionstobeinserted.)

NOTTOBEOPENEDBEFORECOUNTING

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfromthe

… ................................................... Ward

POSTALBALLOTPAPER

Serialnumberofballotpaper………………………………………………….

Form-16A

(seeclause(ii)ofsub-rule(1)ofrule49)

COVER‘A’

Form-16B

(seeclause(iii)ofsub-rule(1)ofrule49andrule71)

COVER‘B’

TobeusedatanelectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorp

orationfrom………..

*ward.

COVER‘B’

ServiceUnpaid

Every Officer under whose care of through whom a postal ballot is

sent shall ensure its delivery to the address without delay

ELECTION–IMMEDIATE

POSTALBALLOTPAPER

For ……………….. * ward of the

Bengaluru…………………..City

(NOT TO BE OPENED BEFORE

COUNTING)

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

**…………………………

……………………………

SignatureoftheSender

(*ReturningOfficertoinsertheretheappropriateparticularsof theward.

**ReturningOfficertomentionherethefulladdress.)

Form-16C

(seeclause(iv)ofsub-rule(1)ofrule49)

InstructionsfortheGuidanceofElectors

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… .......................... *ward.

The persons whose names are printed on the ballot paper sent herewith

are candidates at the above election. If you desire to vote you should record

your vote in accordance with the directionsgiven in part-I below and then

follow the instructions detailed in Part-II

PART-IDIRECTIONSTOELECTORS

1. Thenumberofmemberstobeelectedisone.

2. Youhaveonlyonevote.

3. You must not vote for more than one Candidate. If you do so your

ballot paper will be rejected.

4. Recordthevotebyplacingclearlyamarkoppositethenameofthecandidatet

owhom you wish to give that vote.

5. The mark should be so placed as to indicate clearly and beyond

doubt to which candidate you are giving your vote. If the mark is so placed as

to make it doubtful to which candidate you have given the vote, that vote will

be invalid.

6. Donotputyoursignatureorwriteanywordormakeanymark,signorwriting

whatsoever on the ballot paper other than the mark which you are required to

make thereon in accordance with paragraph-4.

7. An elector shall obtain the attestation of their signature on the

declaration in Form 16 by a magistrate or a gazetted officer or

(a) If they are a member of the armed forces of the union, or of an armed

police force of the State but is serving outside that State, by such officer as

may be appointed in this behalf by the Commanding Officer of the unit, ship

or establishment in which the voter or her husband, as the case may be, is

employed;

(b) If he is on election duty, by any gazetted officer or by the presiding

officer of the polling station in which he is on election duty ; and

sub-section (4) of Section 20 of the Representation of the peoples Act, 1950

apply by an officernot below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to Government ;

and

(d) Ifheisunderpreventivedetention,bytheSuperintendentoftheJailoftheCo

mmandant of the Detention camp in which he is under detention.

PART-II

INSTRUCTIONS FOR

ELECTORS

(a) Afteryouhaverecordedyourvoteontheballot,placetheballotpaperinthes

maller cover marked ‘A’ sent herewith. Close the cover and secure it by seal or

otherwise.

(b) You have then to sign the declaration in Form 16 also sent herewith

in the presence of a magistrate or any other officer competent to attest your

signature (See direction 7 above). Take the declaration to any such officer and

sign it in their presence after they have been satisfied about your identity. The

officer will attest your signature and return the declaration to you. You must

not showyour ballot paper to the attesting officer nor tell them how you have

voted.

yourself in the manner indicated above by reason of illiteracy, blindness or

other

infirmity

you

are

entitled

have

your

vote

markedandthedeclarationsignedonyourbehalfbyanyofficerreferredtoinitem(b).s

uchan

officerwillatyourrequestmarktheballotpaperinyourpresenceandinaccordancewi

thyour wishes. He will also complete the necessary certificate in this behalf.

(d) After your declaration has been signed and your signature has been

attested, in accordance with item (b) or item (c) place the declaration in Form

16 as also the smaller cover marked ‘A’ containing the ballot paper, in the

larger cover marked ‘B’ after closing the large cover, send it to the

ReturningOfficerbypostorbymessenger.Youhavetogiveyourfullsignatureinthesp

ace provided on the cover marked ‘B’ No postage stamp need be affixed by

you.

(e) YoumustensurethatthecoverreachestheReturningofficerbefore ......... on

…………………………….**

(f) Pleasenotethat:

(i) If you fail to get your declaration attested or certified in the manner

indicatedabove, your ballot paper will be rejected; and

(ii) IfthecoverreachestheReturningOfficerafter……………………….Onthe

… ............................... dateyourvotewillnotbecounted.

(*AppropriateparticularsoftheElectiontobeinserted.

**Herespecifythehouranddatefixedforthecommencementofcounting

ofVotes.)

Form-17

(seeclause(iii)ofsub-rule(2)ofrule55)

ListofChallengedVotes

ElectionofCouncillorsoftheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationFrom…

…. .................................................................................*ward.

PollingStationNumberandNameofthePollingStation…………………

Sl.No.

NameofElector

PartNoofElectoral

Roll

Sl.No.oftheElecto

r’sRoll in

that part

Signature or

thumb

impressionofth

Addressoftheper

son

challenged

NameoftheIdentifie

rifany

NameofChalleng

Orderofpresiding

officer

Signature/thumbi

mpression of

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

Signature of

Presiding

Officer

(*AppropriateparticularsoftheElectiontobeinserted.)

Form-18

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule59)

ListofBlindandInfirmvoters

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… .....................................*ward.

Numberandnameofpollingstation……………………….

Part No. and

Sl. No.

oftheelector

Fullnam

ofelector

Full

name

ofcompani

Addres

s of

companion

Signatu

re of

companion

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Date:……………………..

SignatureofPresidingOfficer

(*Appropriateparticularsof theElectiontobeinserted.)

Form-19

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule60)

ListofTenderedVotes

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… .....................................*ward.

Numberandnameofpollingstation:

PartNo.an

d Sl.

No.ofthe

Elector

Addres

s of

the

Elector

Serial

Number of

Tendered

Ballot

paper

Sl.Numberof

Ballot

paperissued

tothepersonwho

has

alreadyvoted

Signature

or thumb

impressio

nof person

tendering

vote

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Date:……………………..

SignatureofPresidingOfficer

(*Appropriateparticularsof theElectiontobeinserted.)

Form-19A

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule94)

Listoftenderedvotes

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… .....................................*ward.

Number and name of polling station:

……………….. Part Number of Electoral

roll: …………………………

SlN

Nameofelec

tor

Sl.No.ofelec

torin

electoral

roll

Sl. No. in

voters (Form

27) of

persons who

has

alreadyvotedi

nplace

ofelector

Signature

/ Thumb

impressionofe

lector

Date:……………………..

SignatureofPresidingOfficer

(*Appropriateparticularsof theElectiontobeinserted.)

Form-20

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule63)

PART-I

BallotPaperAccount

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… ............. *ward.

Numberandnameofpollingstation:……………………………………

Particulars

Serial

Numbers

From

Total

1. Ballotpaperreceived

2. Ballotpapers(notissuedtovoters):-

(a) Withthesignaturetopresidingofficer

(b) With out the Signature of Presiding

OfficerTotal (a + b)

3. Ballot papers used at the

polling station (1-2=3)

4. Ballot paper used at the polling

station but not INSERTED INTO

THE BALLOT BOX

(a) Ballot papers Cancelled for

violation of voting procedure under

Rule 58

(b) Ballotpaperscancelledforotherreasons

papers Total (a + b + c)

5.Ballot papers to be found in the

ballot box (3-4=5)

(Serialnumbersneednotbegiven)

Date:……………………..

SignatureofPresidingOfficer

PART-II

RESULT OF INITIAL COUNTING

Totalnumberofballotpapersfoundintheballotbox/boxesusedatthepollingst

ation

……………………

Discrepancy, if any, between the total number as shown against item

1 above and the total number of ballot papers to be found in the ballot box

(es) shown in item 5 of Part-I of Ballot paper account : …………………..

Date:……………………..

SignatureofCountingSupervisor

SignatureoftheReturningOfficer

(*Appropriate particulars of the Election to be inserted.)

Form-20A(EVM)

(seesub-rule(1)ofrule97&rule100)

PART-I

ACCOUNTOFVOTESRECORDED

ElectiontotheCouncillorof the

Bengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… ...................... ward.

No. and Name of Polling Station

………………………. Identification No. of

Voting Control Unit………………

Identification No. of Voting Ballot

Unit………………… Machine used at the

Polling Station Balloting Unit:-

TotalNo.ofelectorsassignedtothePollingStation

TotalNo.ofvotersasenteredintheRegisterforVot

ers

(Form27)

No.ofvotersdecidingnottorecordvotesunderrul

e93

No.ofvotersnotallowedtovoteunderrule91.

TotalNo.ofvotesrecordedasperthevotingmachin

Whether the total No. of votes as shown

against item 5 tallies with the Total No. of

voters as shown against item2 minus Nos.

of voters deciding not to record votes as

against item 3 minus No. of voters as

against 4 (2-3-4) or any discrepancy

noticed.

No.ofvoterstowhomtenderedballotpaperswerei

ssued

underrule94.

No.oftenderedballotpapers

(a) receivedforuse

(b)

issuedtoelectors

Accountofpaperseals

From

1)Sl.No’sofpaperseals supplied

From

2)Totalnumberssupplied

3)Numberofpapersealsused

4)Numberofunusedpaperse

als returned to

ReturningOfficer (deduct

item 3 from 2)

5)Serialnumberofdamagedpapersealifany

Signature of Polling

Agents 1.

Date………..

Signature of the

Presiding Officer Place…………

Polling Station

No………………….

PART-II

RESULT OF

COUNTING

SlNo.

NameofCandidate

No.ofvotesrecord

NOTA

Total

Whetherthetotalnumberofvotesshownabovetallieswiththetotalnumberofvotessh

ownagainst item 5 of Part I or any discrepancy noticed between the two totals

SignatureoftheCountingSupervi

sor

Place…………

Date…………

Name of candidate/election agent/counting agent

Fullsignat

ure 1.

Place: …………

Signature of the

returning officer Date:………..

Form-21

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule67)

AppointmentofCountingAgent

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………..CityCorporationfrom

… ........................ *ward.

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

……………………………..

………………………

Candidate**/

the

Election

Agent

…………………… who is a candidate at the above election do hereby appoint

the following persons an my **/ their countingAgents to attend the counting

of votes at ……………

Name of the Counting Agent

Address of the

Counting Agent 1.

Place:………………

SignatureofCandidate/

Date:………………..

ElectionAgent

We agree to act as such

Counting Agents. 1.

Place : ………………

Signature of the

Counting Agents Date : ………………..

DeclarationoftheCountingAgents

(TobesignedbeforetheReturningOfficer)

Wehereby

declare

that

attheaboveElectionwe

willnotdo

anything

forbiddenby

section

oftheGreater

Bengaluru

Governance

Act,

2024,whichwehaveread/hasbeenread overtous.

Place:………………

SignatureoftheCountingAgents

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobe inserted.

**Strike outtheinappropriatealternative

Section 53oftheGreater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024

“53. Maintenanceofsecrecyofvoting:)

(1) Every officer, employee, agent or other person who performs any

duty in connection with therecording or counting of votes at an election under

this Act shall maintain and aid in maintaining, the secrecy of the voting and

shall not, except for some purpose authorized by or under any law,

communicateto any person any information calculate to violate such secrecy.

(2)Any person who contravenes the provision of sub-section (1) shall, on

conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend

tothreemonths orwith fine or with both.”

Form-22

(seesub-rule(4)ofrule67)

RevocationofAppointmentofCountingAgent

ElectionofCouncillorstotheBengaluru………………………….. City

Corporation from

… ..................... *ward.

To:

TheReturningOfficer,

……………………………..

I,………………………………aCandidate**/theElectionAgentof………………

……whoisacandidateattheaboveelectionherebyrevoketheappointmentof

............................................................................................................... my**

Form-23

(seesub-rule(11)ofrule71,sub-rule(7)ofrule73andsub-rule(1),(5)and(6)ofrule75)

(To be used for recording the result of voting at polling stations in wards

where procedure of mixingof ballot papers is adopted)

FINALRESULTSHEET

ElectionofCouncillortothe .............. *wardoftheBengaluru………. City Corporation

PollingStation

Number

Total votes found

inthe Ballot

box

Numberoftenderedvote

5. andsoon

Total

TotalNumberofValidvotesrecordedforcandidatesandofrejectedballotpape

rs:

Details

Validvot

Secured

Candida

tes

Totalvalid

Votes

No.

ofrejected

Ballotpape

Total

valid

Andreject

votes

(3+4)

ABCDE

(A+B+C+D+E

)

1^Stroun

2^ndroun

Andsoon

Total

number of

valid votes

recorded

on postal

ballot

papers for

candidates

and of

rejected

postal

ballot

papers

GrandTot

Place : ………………

Returning

Officer Date : ………………..

Form-23A(EVM)

(seesub-rule(2)ofrule105)

FINALRESULTSHEET

(To be used for recording the result of voting at polling stations other

than notified polling stations)

ElectiontotheCouncillorof

Bengaluru…………………………..

City

Corporationfrom

… ...................... ward

Nameoftheward:..................

TotalNumberofelectorsinward................

SL.No.

Polling

Station

No.ofvalidvotescastinfavourof

Tot

vali

vote

No. of

reject

votes

TotalN

o. of

tendere

d votes

NOTA

(1)

(2)

(3)

TOTALNo.ofvotesrecordedatPollingStations.

No.ofvotesrecordedonpostalballotpapers.(Tobefilledinthecaseofelectionfromaward)

TOTALvotespolled.

Place...............

Date................

ReturningOfficer

Form-24

(seeclause(a)ofrule77)

DeclarationofResultofElection

(Tobeusedwhenaseatiscontested)

ElectionoftheCouncillorstotheBengaluru…………………………..

City

Corporation

from………………..*wardreservedforBackwardClass(A)or(B)**/ScheduledCast

e/Scheduled Tribe/ Woman.

InpursuanceoftheprovisionscontainedinRules

oftheGreater Bengaluru

Governance Act, 2024, I declare that :

1.Sri/Smt ................................... (Name)

… ............................................ (Address)

+Sponsoredby

........................................................ recognised/registeredPoliticalpartyhas

been

dulyelectedtofilltheseatfromtheaboveward.

ReturningOfficer

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobe inserted

**Strike offtheinappropriatealternative

+ Scoreoffif not applicable)

Form-25

(seeclause(b)ofrule77)

ReturnofElection

Election of the Councillors to the Bengaluru………………………….. City

Corporation from …………*ward.

ReturnofElection

Serial

Number

Name of

Candidate

Party/Independent

Number of

Valid votes

polled

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Total number of Electors

: Total number of valid votes polled

Totalnumberofrejectedvotes

Totalnumberoftenderedvotes

ReturningOfficer

Place : ………………

Date:………………..

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinserted here)

Form-26

(seerule78)

CertificateofElection

I,theReturningofficerfortheelectionofCouncillorstotheengaluru………………

…………..

City

Corporation

from

………….*wardof……………………herebycertifythatIhaveon………………dayof

……………….20….declareSri/Smt………………………..**recognized/registere

dpoliticalparty

have

been

duly

electedby...............*wardtohavebeendulyelectedtobetheCouncillorfromthesa

idwardandI have granted to him / her this Certificate of Election.

Place : ………………

Returning

Officer Date : ………………..

(* Appropriateparticularsoftheelectiontobeinserted here

**Strike offtheinappropriatealternative.)

Form-27

(seeclause(a)ofsubrule(1)ofrule90,subrule(7)ofrule91andrule93)

Registerofvoters

ElectiontotheCouncillorof t he B en ga l u r u…………City

Corporation from…….

............................................................................................... War

dNo.and

NameofPollingstation…………………PartNo.ofElectoralRoll……………

………

SlNo

Sl No of elector in

the electoral roll

Signature/Th

umb

impressionofele

ctor

Remarks

4. .etc.

Date: SignatureofthePresidingOfficer

By Order and in the name of the

Governor of Karnataka,

(NANDAKUMAR B.)

Under Secretary to Government,

Urban Development Department

(BBMP-2 and Coordination).

ಮುದÎಕರು ²ಾಗೂ ಪÎಾಶಕರು:- ಸಂಕಲ£ಾĩಾĸಗಳ…, ಕ£ಾಟಕ ªಾಜÍಪತÎ, ಸಾĸ ೇಂದÎ ಮುದÎžಾಲಯ, ¦ೆಂಗಳˆರು

R.N.I. No. KARBIL/2001/47147 POSTAL REGN. No. RNP/KA/BGS/2202/2017-19

Licensed to post without prepayment WPP No. 297

THAMMAIAH

Digitally signed by THAMMAIAH

DN: c=IN, o=Centre for e-Governance, 2.5.4.20=be54f34f4e31eae50203ca7fab5ceb3794f20a8460a2582ef28294d43b8f8b16,

ou=department of printing stationery and Publication,CID - 7048443, postalCode=560001, st=Karnataka,

serialNumber=4d9b284dcc53d39f1425f50485de07dd86efa302a3fce3729eddea0c1b5098e0, cn=THAMMAIAH

Date: 2025.08.08 15:14:55 +05'30'