Corrupt practices

(1) The following shall be deemed to be corrupt practices for the purposes of this Chapter :-(1) Bribery, that is to say -(A) any gift, offer or promise by candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a candidate or his agent of any gratification, to any person, whomsoever , with the object, directly or indirectly of inducing.-(a) a person to stand or not to stand as, or to withdraw from being a candidate at an election ; or (b) an elector of the municipal area to vote or refrain from voting at an election ; or as a reward to -(i) a person for having so stood or not stood, or for having withdrawn his candidature ; or (ii) an elector of the municipal area for having voted or refrained from voting ; (B) the receipt of or agreement to receive any gratification, whether as a motive or a reward -(a) by a person for standing or not standing as, or for withdrawing from being a candidate ; or (b) by any person whomsoever for himself or any other person for voting or refraining from voting, or inducing or attempting to induce an elector of the municipal area to vote or refrain from voting, or any candidate to withdraw his candidature. Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause, the term "gratification" is not restricted to pecuniary gratification or gratifications estimable in money and it includes of all forms of entertainment and all forms of employment for reward but it does not include the payment of any expenses bonafide incurred at, or, for the purpose of any election. (2) Under influence, that is to say any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent, or of any other person with the consent of the candidate or his agent, with the free exercise of any electoral right: Provided that -(a) without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of this clause any such person as is referred to therein who -(i) threatens any candidate or any person in whom a candidate is interested, with injury of any kind including social ostracism and ex-communication or expulsion from any caste or community ; or (ii) induces or attempts to induce a candidate of an elector of the municipal area 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 , shall be deemed to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right of such candidate or an elector of the municipal area within the meaning of this clause ; (b) a declaration of public policy, or a promise of public action, or the mere exercise of a legal right without intent to interfere with an electoral right, shall not be deemed to be interference within the meaning of this clause. (3) The appeal by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a candidate or his agent to vote or refrain from voting for any person on the ground of his religion, race, caste, community or language or the use of, or appeal to religious symbols or the use of, or appeal to, national symbols, such as the national flag or the national emblem, for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate. (4) The promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatered between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person with the consent of a candidate or his agent for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate. (5) The publication by a candidate or his agent or by any other person, with the consent of a candidate or his agent, of any statement of fact which is false and which he either believes to be false or does not believe to be true, in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate, or in relation to the candidature or, withdrawal, of any candidate, being a statement, reasonably calculated to prejudice the prospects of the candidate‘s election. (6) The hiring or procuring, whether on payment or otherwise, of any vehicle by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a candidate or his agent, for the conveyance of an elector of the municipal area (other than the candidate himself, the members of his family or his agent) to or from any polling station or a place fixed for the poll. Explanation.- In this clause, the expression 'vehicle' means any vehicle used or capable of being used for the purpose of road transport, whether propelled by mechanical power or otherwise and whether used for drawing other vehicles or otherwise. (6-A). The incurring or authorising, of expenditure in contravention of section 17-A. (7) The obtaining or procuring or abetting or attempting to obtain or procure by a candidate or his agent, or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his agent, any assistance (other than the giving of vote) for the furtherance of the prospects of that candidate's election, from any person in the service of the Government, the Government of India or the Government of any other State or a local authority.