Breaches of official duty in connection with election.

31. Breaches of official duty in connection with elections. - (1) If any person to whom this section applies is without reasonable cause guilty of any act or omission in breach of his 58 official duty, he shall , on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. (2) An offence under sub -section (1) shall be cognizable. (3) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any such person for damages in respect of any such act or omission as aforesaid. (4) The persons to whom this section applies are the returning officers, presiding officers , polling officers and any other person appointed to perform any duty in connection with the receipt of nominations or withdrawal of candidature, or the recording or counting of votes at an election; and the expression “official duty” shall for the purpos e of this section be constructed accordingly, but shall not include duties imposed otherwise than by or under this Act.