(1) If at an election, the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted or obstructed by any riot or open violence or if at an election it is not possible to take the poll at any polling station or such place on account of any natural calamity or any other sufficient cause, the Presiding Officer for such polling station shall announce an adjournment of the poll to a date to be notified later and he shall forthwith inform the Returning Officer concerned.
(2) Whenever a poll is adjourned under sub-section (1), the Returning Officer shall immediately report the circumstances to the District Election Authority and the State Election Commission, and shall, as soon as may be, with the previous approval of the State Election Commission, appoints the day on which the poll shall recommence and fix the hours during which, the poll will be taken and shall not count the votes cast at such election until such adjourned poll shall have been completed.
(3) In every such case as aforesaid, the Returning Officer shall notify in such manner as the State Election Commission may direct, the date and hours of polling fixed under sub-section (2).