Section 454

(1) The counting of votes will take place immediately after the close of the poll and in case it is not possible to count votes immediately after the close of the poll the ballot-boxes shall be sealed by the Election Officer and kept in the safe custody at the nearest police station. The candidate or his agent. if so desire, may also affix their seals. (2) A ballot-paper shall be rejected, if-- (i) it bears any signature to identify the voter. (ii) it does not bear the seal of the society and initials of the Election Officer/Polling officer of the concerned polling station, (iii) it contains no marks indicating a vote, (iv) it contains more marks than the number of seat/seats to be filled. (3) if a ballot-paper contains mark or marks for a candidate or candidates in such manner that it is ambiguous as to which of the candidates the vote is given to, it shall be rejected. (4) The Election Officer shall announce the result of election as soon as the counting is completed indicating the number of votes secured by each candidate. (5) In the event of equality of votes, the matter shall be decided by draw of lots, picked lot will be declared elected. (6) The Election Officer shall display the list of elected candidates on the notice board of the society and also at such public place as he may deem fit. (7) A copy of the list prepared under Sub-rule (6) shall be sent to the District Assistant Registrar concerned or an Officer authorised under Sub-rule (2) of Rule 450 and also to Secretary/ Managing Director of the Society concerned. (8) Used ballot-papers and other records pertaining to election shall be put in a cover or container and shall be sealed by the Election Officer/Polling Officer. Any candidate may also affix his seal thereon, if he so desires. The cover or container so sealed shall be entrusted by the Election Officer/Polling Officer to the Secretary/Managing Director of the society who shall acknowledge the receipt and be responsible for its safe custody for two months, if no dispute to election is referred to the Registrar. (9) The amount of expenses for holding election in a co-operative society or a class or classes of co- operative societies shall be determined by the Registrar by special or general order and the same shall be payable by the society of which election is to be held from its fund: Provided that no T.A./D.A. for the Election Officer/Polling Officer and other members of the election party shall be payable from the funds of the society. (10) The Secretary/Managing Director of the society concerned shall, on the direction of the Registrar, make payments in respect of expenditure incurred in connection with the election of the society failing which the amount shall be recoverable from the concerned society as arrears of land revenue on the certificate given by the Registrar.