Disputes regarding election of office-bearers., (1) The prescribed authority may, on a reference made to it by the

Provided that the election of an office-bearer shall be set aside where the prescribed authority is satisfied,

1. (a) that any corrupt practice has been committed by such office-bearer; or
2. (b) that the nomination of any candidate has been improperly rejected; or
3. (c) that the result of the election insofar as it concerns to such office-bearer has been materially affected by the improper acceptance of any nomination or by the improper reception, refusal or rejection of any vote or the reception of any vote which is void or by any non-compliance with the provisions of any rules of the society. Explanation I., A person shall be deemed to have committed a corrupt practice who, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person,
   • (i) induces, or attempts to induce, by fraud, intentional misrepresentation, coercion or threat of injury, any elector to give or to refrain from giving a vote in favour of any candidate, or any person to stand or not to stand as, or to withdraw or not to withdraw from being a candidate at the election;
   • (ii) with a view to inducing any elector to give or to refrain from giving a vote in favour of any candidate, or to inducing any person to stand or not to stand as, or to withdraw or not to withdraw from being a candidate at the election, offers or promises any gratification to any person;
   • (iii) abets (within the meaning of the Indian Penal Code) the doing of any of the acts specified in clauses
   • (i) and (ii);
   • (iv) induces or attempts to induce a candidate or elector to believe that he, or any person in whom he is interested, will become or will be rendered an object of divine displeasure or spiritual censure;
   • (v) commits such other practice as the State Government may prescribe to be a corrupt practice. Explanation II., A promise of individual advantage or profit to a person includes a promise for the benefit of the person himself, or of anyone in whom he is interested. Explanation III., The State Government may prescribe the procedure for hearing and decision of doubts or disputes in respect of such elections and make provision in respect of any other matter relating to such elections for which insufficient provision exists in this Act or in the rules of the society.

1. (2) Where by an order made under sub-section (1), an election is set aside or an office-bearer is held no longer entitled to continue in office or where the Registrar is satisfied that any election of office-bearers of a society has not been held within the time specified in the rules of that society, he may call a meeting of the general body of such society for electing such office-bearer or office-bearers, and such meeting shall be presided over and be conducted by the Registrar or by an officer authorized by him, and the provisions of the rules of the society relating to meetings and elections shall apply to such meeting and election with necessary modifications.
2. (3) Where a meeting is called by the Registrar under sub-section (2), no other meeting shall be called for the purpose of election by any other authority or by any person claiming to be an office-bearer of the society. Explanation., For the purposes of this section, the expression 'prescribed authority' means an officer or court authorized in this behalf by the State Government by notification published in the Official Gazette.