THE KERALA MUNICIPALITY ACT, 1994* - nrcddp

(3) Any police officer may take such steps and use such force as may be reasonablynecessary for preventing any contravention of the provisions of sub-section(l), and mayseize any apparatus used for such contravention.153. Penalty for misconduct at the polling station.— (!) Any person who during thehours fixed for the poll at any polling station misconducts himself or fails to obey the lawfuldirections of the presiding officer may be removed from the polling station by the presidingofficer or by any police officer on duty or by any person authorised in this behalf by suchpresiding officer.(2) The powers conferred by sub-section(l)shall not be exercised so as to prevent anyelector who is otherwise entitled to vote at a polling station from having an opportunity ofvoting at that station.(3) Where any person who has been so removed from a polling station re-enters thepolling station without the permission of the Presiding Officer, he shall be punishable withimprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.(4) An offence punishable under sub-section (3) shall be cognizable.154. Penalty for failure to observe procedure for voting.— Where any elector towhom a ballot paper has been issued, refuses to observe the procedure prescribed for voting theballot paper issued to him shall be liable for cancellation.155. Penalty for illegal hiring or procuring of conveyances at elections.— Whereany person is guilty of any such corrupt practice as is specified in clause (6) of section 144at or in connection with an election, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to onethousand rupees.156. List of officers and staff of the Government Departments, local authorities30A [or other authorities and Educational Institutions] to be furnished.— (1) Every 30B [headof office or departmental including educational institutions of the Government and every localauthority or other authority and headmasters of aided schools and Principal of Private affiliatedColleges] shall, on requisition by the State Election Commission or an officer authorised by him,furnish to him a list of 30C [officers and staff of such office or educational institutions] within suchtime as may be specified in the requisition, for performing any duty in connection with an electionto a Municipality.Explanation.— For the purpose of this section and section 202 "other authority" means anyauthority by whatever name called, constituted or established by the Government by or under anylaw for the time being in force.(2) If any person to whom a requisition under sub-section(l) is made by the State ElectionCommission or an officer authorised by him, fails to furnish the list of officers and staff within suchtime as may be specified in such requisition, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fivehundred rupees.157. Breaches of official duty in connection with elections.— (1) Where any personto whom this section applies is without reasonable cause guilty of any act or omission in breachof his official duty, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.(2) No suit or other legal proceedings, shall lie against such person for damages in respect ofany such act or omission as aforesaid.(3) The persons to whom this section applies are the District Election Officers, Returning Officers,Assistant Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, Polling Officers and any other person appointed toperform any duty in connection with the receipt of nominations or withdrawal of candidatures, or the