Corrupt practices

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following shall be deemed to be corrupt practices: (1) Bribery, that is to say: (a) any gift, offer or promise by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his agent to any person, whoever he may be, with the object, directly or indirectly, of: (a) inducing a person to stand or not to stand as a candidate at an election, or to withdraw candidature; (b) inducing a voter of a Panchayat area at an election to vote or refrain from voting at an election; or inducing the following for reward: (i) any person to stand or not to stand or to withdraw his candidature; (ii) any voter of a Panchayat area to vote or refrain from voting; (b) the receipt of, or agreement to receive, any gratification, whether as a motive or reward: (a) by any person for standing or not standing as a candidate, or for withdrawing candidature; (b) by any person for voting or refraining from voting for himself or any other person, or inducing any voter of a Panchayat area to vote or refrain from voting, or attempting to induce any candidate to withdraw his candidature. Explanation: For the purpose of this clause, the word "gratification" is not restricted to pecuniary gratification or gratifications estimable in money and includes all forms of entertainment and all forms of employment for reward, but does not include the payment of any expenses incurred bona fide in connection with an election. (2) Undue influence, that is to say, any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent, or by any other person with the consent of the candidate or his agent, with the free exercise of any election right: Provided that: (a) without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of this clause, any such person as specified therein who: (i) threatens any candidate or any voter of a Panchayat area, or any person in whom such candidate or member is interested, with any kind of injury, including social ostracism or expulsion or exclusion from any caste or community; (ii) induces or attempts to induce a candidate or any voter of a Panchayat 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 election right of such candidate or voter of a Panchayat area under this clause. (b) a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action, or the exercise of a legal right without the intent to interfere in any election 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 the candidate or his agent to any person 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 appeal to or for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate;