Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters, etc.

(1) No person shall print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof. (2) No person shall print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster,.- (a) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher thereof, signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate; and (b) unless, within a reasonable time after the printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer, together with one copy of the document, - (i) if it is printed at Chandigarh, to the Secretary of the Commission; and (ii) in any other case, to the District Magistrate of the District in which it is printed. (3) For the purposes of this section— (a) any process for multiplying copies of a document, other than copying it by hand, shall be deemed to be printing and the expression “printer” shall be construed accordingly; and (b) election pamphlet or poster means any printed pamphlet, hand-bill or other document distributed for the purposes of promoting or prejudicing the election of a candidate or group of candidates of any playcard or poster having reference to an election, but does not include any hand-bill, playcard or poster merely announcing the date, time, place and other particulars of an election meeting or routine instructions to election agents or workers. (4) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.