(2) Subject to any rules made in this behalf, the Council for the trial of any petition shall hold the trial at New Delhi.
(2) The Council shall dismiss the petition,—
(a) if the petition has not been presented within the period specified in subsection (2) of section 19;
(b) if the petition does not comply with the provisions of sub-section (4) or sub-section (5) of section 19 or section 20.
Explanation.—An order dismissing a petition under this subsection shall be deemed to be an order made under clause (a) of section 30.
(3) Any candidate not already a respondent to a petition shall upon application made by him to the Council within fourteen days from the date of commencement of the trial and subject to any order as to security for costs which may be made by the Council be entitled to be joined as a respondent.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the trial of a petition shall be deemed to commence on the date fixed for the respondents to appear before the Council and answer the claim or claims made in the petition.
(4) The trial of a petition shall, so far as Is practicable consistently with the interests of justice in respect of the trial, be continued from day to day until its conclusion, unless the Council finds the adjournment of the trial beyond the following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded.
(5) Every petition shall be tried as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to conclude the trial within six months from the date of commencement of the trial.
25. (I) The Chairman of the Council or in his absence the Vice- Chairman of the Council shall preside at the sittings of the Council.
Relief that may be claimed by the petitioner.
Procedure on receiving petitions.
Trial of petitions Procedure 48 THE GAZFTTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART II— Evidence.
Secrecy of voting not to bo Infringed, Answering of criminating questions and certificate of Indemnity,
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Part and of any rules made under this Act, the Council shall regulate its own procedure for the trial of a petition