(1) If the number of duly nominated candidates for election is equal to the number of members to be elected, the Returning Oficer shall forthwitb declare such candidates to be duly elected.
(2) If the number of duly nominated candidate is less than the number of members to be elected, the Returning Officer shall forthwith declare such candidates to be duly elected and inform the State Governn,ent for taking appropriate action.
(3) If the number of such candidates exceeds the n umber of members to be so elected, the Returning Officer shall, not later than thirty days before the date appointed for the poll, send by airmail to every elector 6 residing or practising abroad, and by post to every other elector within the State or outside but within the country, a leti er of intimation in Form IV together with a numbered declaration paper in Form V, a ballot paper in Form VI containing the names of the candidates in alphabetical order and bearing Returning Officer's initials or facsimile signature, a ballot paper cover addressed to the Returning Officer and outer also addressed to the said officer :.
Provided that the ballot paper and other connected papers may also be sent to any elector on his applying to the Returning Officer for the same before the date appointed for the p oll, if the Ret urning Officer is satisfied that the papers have not been sent to him.
(4) A Certificate of posting shall be obtained in respect of such letter of information sent to an elector.
(5) An elector who has not received the ballot and other connected papen sent to him by post or wbo has lost the n or in wh ose case the p ip ers before their return to the Returning Officer have been inadvertently spoilt, may transmit a declaration in writing to that effect and request Returning officer not later than fifteen d31Ys before the date appointed for poll to send him fresh papers, and if the papers have been spoilt, the spoilt papers shall be returned to the Returning Officer who shall cancel them on receipt.
(6) In every case. in which such fresh papers have been issued, a mark shall be placed against the number relating to the elector's name in the electoral roll to denote that fresh papers nave been issued to him.
(7) No election shall be invalid by reason of non-receipt by an elector of his ballot paper and other c.mnectcd papers.
(8) Each elector shall have the right to vote for as many candidates as there are seats to be filled by the election, and the vote shall be non-transferable.
(9) Every elector desir o us of recording his vote shall, after filling up the declaration papers in form Vand the ballot paper in form VI according to the direction given in the letter of intimation in Form IV, enclose the ballot paper in the ballot p iper cover, stick up and enclose the said cover along wirh the declaration paper in the outer envelope addressed to the Returning Officer and send outer envelope by post at the elector's own cost or by ha n.l to the Returning Officer, so as to reach him not later than the appointed time for closure of voting on the date fixed for the p oll.
(10) On receipt by post, or by hand, of the envelope containing the dec- , lnration paper and the closed cover containing the ballot paper. the Returning J 7 Ol~..:er shall endorse on the outer envelope the date and the hours of the receipt.
(11) All envelopes recc ved after the said day and hour shall be rejected.
i7. Opening 01' the cover r- ~I) The Returning Office; shall open the outer envelopes immediately arter the appointed lime for closure of voting on tbe date fixed for the poll at tbe place to which the envelopes are addressed to him.
(2) Any candidate may be present in person or may send a representative duly authorised by him in writing, to be present at the time when the outer e nv elopes are opened.
!R. Rejection of ballot paper covers r-
(1) a ballot paper cover shall be rejected by the Returning Officer if :-
(a) the outer envelope contains no declaration paper outside the ballot paper cover, or (by the declaration paper is not the one sent by the Returning Oflicer, or
(c) the declaration paper is not signed by the elector or i,d) the ballot paper is placed outside the ballot paper cover, or
(e) more than one declaratio n paper or ballot paper cover have been enclosed in the same outer envelope.
(2) In each case of rejection the word 'rejected' shall be endrosed on the ballot paper cover and the declaration paper. The reason for the rejection shall also be recorded, in brief, on the ballot paper cover:
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(3) After satisfying himself that the electors have affixed their signatures on the declaration papers, the Returning Officer shall keep all declaration papers in safe cu-tcdy pending disposal under Rule 21.