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) where it is printed in the capital of the State, to the State Election Commissioner, and (ii) in any other case, to the District Magistrate of the district in which it is printed. (3) For the purpose 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 purpose or promoting or prejudicing the election of a candidate or group of candidates or any play card or poster having reference to an election, but does not include any hand-bill, play card 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 or which may extend to Rs. 2,000 or with both.