scrutiny of nomination

(1) On the date fixed for the Scrutiny of nomination under section 37, 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 Municipal Returning Officer may appoint, and the Municipal 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 section 40. (2) The Municipal 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 inquiry, if any, as he thinks necessary, reject any nomination on any of the following grounds: (a) that 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 this Act : (b) that there has been a failure to comply with any of the provisions of section 40 or section 41: or. (c) that the signature of the candidate or the, proposer on the nomination papers is not genuine. (3) Nothing contained in clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to authorize the rejection of the nomination of any candidate on the ground of any irregularity in respect of a 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 Municipal Returning Officer shall not reject any nomination paper on the ground of any defect which is not of a substantial character. (5) The Municipal Returning Officer shall hold the scrutiny on the date appointed in this behalf under clause (b) of section 37 and shall not allow any adjournment of the proceedings except when such proceedings are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence or by causes beyond his control : Provided that in case an objection is raised by the Municipal 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 Municipal Returning Officer shall record his decision on the date to which the proceedings have been adjourned. (6) The Municipal Returning Office 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 or his reason for such rejection. (7) For the purposes of this section, a certified copy of an entry in the electoral roll for the time being in force of a Municipality shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the person referred to in that entry is an elector for that Municipality, unless it is proved that he is subject to a disqualification mentioned in this Act or the rules made thereunder. (8) Immediately after all the nomination papers have been scrutinized and decision accepting or rejecting the same have been recorded, the Municipal Returning Officer shall prepare a list of validity nominated candidates, that is to say, candidates whose nominations have been found valid, and affix it to the notice board.