Application for questioning the election.

(1) The election of a person HS a member of it Gram Panchayat or Zilla Panchayar shall not be calledin question except by an application presented to such nuthoriry within such time ~1J1din suchmanner as may be prescribed on the ground that- (~l) the election has not been a free election by reason that the corrupt practice of bribery or under influence has extensively prevailed at the election; or (b) that the result of the elect-ion hns becnmarerially affected- (i) by the improper nccepiunce or rejection {If any nomination; (ii) by gross failure to comply with the provisions of this Act or the rules fr: ncd thereunder. (2) The following shall be deemed to be corrupt practices of bribery or undue influence for the purposes of this Act. (1) Bribery, that is to say- (A) an)' gift, offer or promise by a cnndidate or by any other person with the connivance of a candidate 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 \I1y election; or (b) an elector to vote or refrain from voting ar an ejection; or as u reward to- (i) a person for having stood or not stood or having withdrawn his candidature, or (ii) an elector for having voted or refrainedfrom voting. (13) Undueinfluence, tlrut is to say, any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of a candidate or 0·1' any othe- person with the connivance of the candidate with till: free exercise of any electoral right: Provided ih.u without prejudice to tile generality of the provisions of this clause any such person as is referred to therein who- (i) threatens ;111)' candidate