(1) No witness shall be excused from answering any question as to any matter relevant to a matter in issue in the trial of an election petition upon the ground that the answer to such question may criminate or may tend to criminate him, or that it may expose or may tend to expose him to any penalty or forfeiture:
Provided that—
(a) a witness, who answers truly all questions which he is required to answer, shall be entitled to receive a certificate of indemnity from the Election Tribunal; and
(b) an answer given by a witness to a question put by or before the Election Tribunal, shall not, except in the case of any criminal proceedings for per-jury in respect of the evidence, be admissible in evidence against him in any civil or criminal proceedings.
Answering of criminating question and certificate of indemnity.
Secrecy of voting not to be infringed.
Documentary evidence.
(2) When a certificate of indemnity has been granted to any witness, it may be pleaded by him in any court and shall be a full and complete defence to or upon any charge under Chapter IX- A of the Indian Penal Code. 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860) or Chapter XIV of this Act arising out of the matter to which such certificate relates, but it shall not be deemed to relieve him from any disqualification in connection with an election imposed by this Act or any other law for the time being in force.
85. The reasonable expenses incurred by any person in attending the trial of an election petition to give evidence, may be allowed by the Election Tribunal to such person and shall unless the Election Tribunal otherwise directs, be deemed to be part of the costs.