Conduct of election

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the bye-laws, the election of any co-operative society or societies or class or classes of co-operative societies shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Rules and the District Magistrate of the district in which the headquarters of the society is situated shall take steps to hold the election on the appointed date and for this purpose the services of any Government servant or official may be requisitioned by him and if any such orders have been issued by the District Magistrate in respect of any official or employee, failure to comply with such orders shall be deemed to be an offence, which if proved, shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or imprisonment which may extend to three months or with both: Provided that in case of societies of which area of operation extends to more than one district, an authority to organise the election of delegates of a member from the district falling within the area of operation of such society shall be exercised by the District Magistrate of the district concerned or his nominee. (2) It shall be the duly of the Election Officer to hold and conduct election in the manner laid down in the Act. these Rules and the Bye-laws of the society : Provided that such election shall be held and results thereof shall be declared at least fifteen days before the expiry of the term of the outgoing Committee of Management, so that the newly elected Committee of Management should replace the outgoing Committee of Management immediately after the expiry of the term. The Election Officer shall exercise all such powers and perform all such duties as may be necessary for the conduct of election. Under unavoidable circumstances and for cogent reasons, the District Magistrate may change the Election Officer during the course of election, and in that case, the person who succeeds as Election Officer shall conduct the election as per election programme.