(1) Any persons who, at any election, fraudulently takes or attempts to take a ballot

paper out of a polling station or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act, shall, on

conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or

with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with both.

1. (2) If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person

is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), such officer

may, before such person leaves the polling station, arrest or direct a police officer to arrest such person and may search such person or cause him to be searched by a police officer: Provided that when it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency. (3 ) Any ballot paper found upon the person arrested on search shall be made over for safe custody to a police officer by the presiding officer, or when the search is made by a police officer, shall be kept by such officer in safe custody.

1. (4) An offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.