(1) Where -
(a) the proceedings at any Polling station are seriously interrupted or obstructed by any riot or open violence or otherwise; or
(b) a large number of electors are unable to attend the poll at a Polling station by reason of an act of God, such as flood or fire;
(c) the Presiding Officer shall stop the poll at that Polling station. The fact that the poll has been so stopped shall be immediately announced by the Presiding Officer to the persons present at the Polling station.
(2) Where the Presiding Officer stops a poll under sub-rule (1), he shall observe the procedure given in these rules for closing of poll and sealing of ballot boxes, covers, accounting of ballot papers etc., and forthwith make a full report of the circumstances. The Presiding Officer shall report forthwith the fact of adjournment of election with full details of the events which led to the adjournment of the election to the Returning Officer.
(3) The Returning Officer shall thereupon order—
(a) that the poll be continued at the Polling station for the number of hours for which it was not held on the previous occasion; or
(b) that the proceedings at the poll held at the Polling station on the previous occasion be ignored and that a fresh poll be held at such Polling station for the full number of hours for which it should have been held on the previous occasion; and
(c) any order passed by the Returning Officer under this sub-rule shall be final.
(4) Any order passed under sub-rule (3) shall—
(a) state-
(i) the date on which, the hours between which the continuation poll or the fresh poll, as the case may be shall be held; and
(ii) the date on which and the place and hour at which, the counting of the votes shall be commenced;
(b) indicate for wide publicity in the polling area concerned by the Returning Officer in such a manner as the Returning Officer may direct, announcing the date, place and hour of polling fixed under clause (a).