Section 21: Finding of Election Court

(1) If the Court, after making such inquiry as it deems necessary, finds, in respect of any person whose election is called in question by a petition, that his election was valid, it shall dismiss the petition as against such person and may award costs at its discretion. (2) If the Court finds that the election of any person was invalid, it shall either - (a) declare a casual vacancy to have been created; or (b) declare another candidate to have been duly elected, whichever course appears, in the particular circumstances of the case, the more appropriate and in either case may award costs at its discretion. (3) In the event of the Court declaring a casual vacancy to have been created, it shall direct the Collector to take proceedings for filling the vacancy. (4) An appeal shall lie to the High Court from the Order of the Election Court under this section on a point of law only and may be preferred within one month from the date of such order exclusive of the time requisite for obtaining a copy thereof.