(1) The Chief Election Authority and the election authorities appointed under section 7, shall be competent to enquire into any matter which in their opinion is relevant in performing their functions under this Act.
(2) For the purpose of sub-section (1), the Chief election authority or the election authority is competent to require any person who, in his opinion, is able to furnish relevant information or produce relevant documents, to furnish any such information or produce any such document.
(3) For the purpose of any such enquiry, the Chief election authority or the election authority shall have all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in respect of the following matters, namely:-
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
Chief Election Authority.
Election Authorities.
Powers of election authority.
Central Act 5 of 1908.
[Act No.24 of 1998] 7
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof, from any court or office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; and
(f) such other matters as may be prescribed.
9. The Chief Election Authority may specify by order such registers and records, in such form as he may specify to be maintained for the purposes of this Act.
10. Every recognised union shall submit such returns, in such form, to the election authority or such other officer as may be specified by order by the Chief Election Authority.
11. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a union which has been recognised under Code of Discipline as on the date of the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to be a recognised union and shall continue as such till the expiry of two years from the date of recognition and thereafter shall continue in accordance with the provisions of this Act.