(1) If the validity of any election of a member of a panchayat is brought in

1. (1) If the validity of any election of a member of a panchayat is brought in question by any person contesting the election or by any person qualified to vote at the election to which such question relates, such person may, at any time within fifteen days after the date of the declaration of the results of the election, present an election petition to the Civil Judge (Junior Division), and if there be no Civil Judge (Junior Division) then to the Civil Judge (Senior Division), (hereinafter referred to as “the Judge”) having ordinary jurisdiction in the area within which the election has been or should have been held, for the determination of such question. (2) A petitioner shall not join as respondents to his election petition persons except those mentioned in the following clauses, namely:- (a) where the petitioner in addition to challenging the validity of the election of all or any of the returned candidates, claims a further relief that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected, all the contesting candidates other than the petitioner and where no such further relief is claimed, all the returned candidates, and (b) any other candidate against whom allegations of any corrupt practice are made in the election petition. (3) An inquiry shall thereupon be held by the Judge and he may after such inquiry as he deems necessary, pass an order, confirming or amending the declared result, or setting the election aside. For the purposes of the said inquiry, the said Judge may exercise all the powers of a civil court, and his decision shall be conclusive. (4) If the validity of the election is brought in question only on the ground of any error by the officer or officers charged with carrying out the rules made under section 274 or of an irregularity or informality not corruptly caused, the Judge shall not set aside the election.

question by any person contesting the election or by any person qualified to vote at the

election to which such question relates, such person may, at any time within fifteen days after the date of the declaration of the results of the election, present an election petition to

jurisdiction in the area within which the election has been or should have been held, for the determination of such question.

1. (2) A petitioner shall not join as respondents to his election petition persons except those mentioned in the following clauses, namely:-
   • (a) where the petitioner in addition to challenging the validity of the election of

where no such further relief is claimed, all the returned candidates, and

1. (b) any other candidate against whom allegations of any corrupt practice are made in the election petition.

1. (3) An inquiry shall thereupon be held by the Judge and he may after such inquiry as he deems necessary, pass an order, confirming or amending the declared result, or setting the election aside. For the purposes of the said inquiry, the said Judge may exercise all the powers of a civil court, and his decision shall be conclusive.
2. (4) If the validity of the election is brought in question only on the ground of any error by the officer or officers charged with carrying out the rules made under section 274

or of an irregularity or informality not corruptly caused, the Judge shall not set aside the

election.