(i) On the date and at the time appointed by the Returning Officer for the scrutiny of the nomination papers, the candidates and the proposer and the seconder of each candidate may attend the office of the Returning Officer, who shall allow them to examine the nomination papers of all the candidates which have been received by him as aforesaid.
(ii) The Returning Officer shall examine the nomination papers and shall decide all objections and if he thinks it is to be rejected, he shall do so by stating the reasons for rejection in writing.
Withdrawal of 11. Any Candidate may withdraw his candidature within seven days after the scrutiny of Nomination nomination papers by notice in writing signed by him and delivered it to the Returning paper. Officer.
Scrutiny of Nomination paper.
Poll. 12. (i) Where the number of candidates duly nominated is equal to or less than the number of members to be elected, the Returning Officer shall forthwith declare such candidates to be duly elected.
(ii) Where the number of such candidates is less than the number of members to be so elected, the Returning Officer shall commence fresh proceedings for the election of the remaining members to be elected.
(iii) Where the number of such candidates exceeds the number of members to be elected, the Returning officer shall publish their names and addresses in the official Gazette and shall further cause their names to be entered in the voting papers in form-II.
(iv) If a poll is found necessary, the Returning Officer shall, thirty days before the appointed date send by registered post to each elector, a letter of intimation in Form-IV together with numbered declaration paper in Form-Ill, a voting paper in Form-II containing the names of the candidates in alphabetical order and bearing the Returning Officer's initial or facsimile signature, a voting paper cover addressed to him (the Returning Officer) and an outer envelope addressed to him.
(v) An elector, who has not received the voting and connected papers sent to him by post, may make requisition to the Returning Officer not later than seven days before the date appointed for the poll for fresh papers.
(vi) In every case in which fresh papers are issued, a mark shall be placed against the number relating to the elector's name to denote that fresh papers have been issued.
(vii) No election shall be invalid by reason of the non-receipt by an elector of his voting paper.
(viii) Each elector shall have as many votes as there are members to be elected, but shall give only one vote to any one candidate of his/ her choice.
Return of 13. Every elector shall send their vote by post at their own cost to the Returning Officer or voting papers. deliver it in person in the office of the Returning Officer so as to reach him not later than by 4.00 P.M on the date fixed for the Poll. All votes received after that day and hour shall be rejected.
Rejection of 14. The Returning Officer can reject the voting paper if it is not properly filled/or completed.
voting papers.
Scrutiny and 15. The Returning Officer shall attend, for the purpose for scrutiny and counting of the votes counting of on the date and time and place appointed by him in this behalf. The Returning Officer may votes. appoint officers/ persons to assist for the purpose. All the voting papers other than those received late and rejected shall be placed together then scrutinized and the valid votes counted.
Declaration of Result.
16 (i) When the counting of votes has been completed, the Returning Officer shall draw up list of candidates in the order of highest votes polled in favour of each candidate and shall declare candidates successful in that and shall declare/inform the successful candidates by post or in such other manner as he thinks fit, of being elected to the Council.
(ii) If, after the counting of the votes is completed, equality of votes is found to exist between any candidates, and the addition of one vote will entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the Returning Officer shall forthwith decide between those candidates by lot and proceed as if the candidate on whom the lot falls had received an additional vote.
The Arunachal Pradesh Extraordinary Gazette, June 2, 2015 3