District Magistrate decides.

(1) The election of any person as a Member of an Anchal Sabha may be questioned by election petition on the ground that— (a) such person committed during or in respect of the election proceedings any corrupt practice as defined in section 28 ; or (b) such person was declared to be elected by reason of improper rejection or admission of one or more votes or for any other reason and was not duly elected by a majority of votes ; or (c) such person was disqualified for election under the provisions of this Act : Provided that no election petition shall lie on the ground of wrongful admission or rejection of nomination paper for which an appeal shall lie within such period as may be prescribed to an Additional District Magistrate whose decision in this behalf shall be final. (2) The election of any person as a member of an Anchal Sabha shall not be questioned on the ground that— (a) there was a casual vacancy in membership or there was a defect in the constitution of the Grama Panchayat, Municipality or Notified Area Council ; or (b) there was any non-compliance with the provisions of this Act or any rule made thereunder or any mistake in the forms required thereby, or any error, irregularity or informality on the part of the officer or officers charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act, or any rules, unless such non-compliance, mistake, error, irregularity or informality has materially affected the result of the election.