Section 26: Challenged Votes

If any candidate or polling agent challenges the identity of a voter who have come to cast his vote, shall pay Rs. 2 to the Presiding Officer. The Presiding Officer shall enter the particulars of such person in the list of challenged votes, his name and address or if he is unable to write, to fix his thumb impression therein and may further require such person to produce evidence for his identification. If after summary enquiry the Presiding Officer is satisfied that he is a genuine voter, he shall be allowed to vote. If the challenged person is not found to be genuine, he may be handed over to the nearest Police Station with a report for registration of a case of impersonation against him. In such cases, the amount of Rs. 2 shall be refunded to the challenger. The amount forfeited shall be paid to the Returning Officer for further deposit in the Government Treasury. The Presiding Officer shall at the close of the poll, prepare a list of challenged vote in Form IX.