(1) No person shall, on the date or dates on which a poll is taken at any polling

station:

1. (a) use or operate, within or at the entrance of the polling station or in any public or

private place in the neighbourhood thereof, any apparatus for amplifying or reproducing

the human voice, such as a megaphone or a loudspeaker, or Notice. Appeal. Declaration

of a voter to

be a defaulter voter. Valid and sufficient reasons for not voting. Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station. Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling station.

1993 : Guj. 18] Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993. 17

1. (b) shout, or otherwise act in a disorderly manner, within or at the entrance of the polling station or in any public or private place in the neighbourhood thereof, so as to cause annoyance to any person visiting the polling station for the Poll, or so as to interfere with the work of the officers and other persons on duty at the polling station.

1. (2) Any person who contravenes, or wilfully aids or abets the contravention of, the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
2. (3) If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under this section he may direct any police officer to arrest such person and thereupon the police officer shall arrest him.
3. (4) Any police officer may take such steps and use such force as may be reasonably necessary for preventing any contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) and may seize any apparatus used for such contravention.