Conduct of Election Rules 1961
Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Conduct of Election Rules 1961 are rules made under the Representation of the People Act 1951. The Act sets out the main law, and these rules set out the practical steps. They cover forms, voting by EVM, postal ballots, tendered votes, VVPAT, NOTA and counting. Officials and voters follow them at every step of the poll.
Example
Rule 42 allows a tendered vote: if someone has already voted in your name, you get a paper ballot that is kept aside as evidence. Rule 63 allows a candidate to ask for a recount. Rule 39AA requires a party MLA to show their marked Rajya Sabha ballot to the party's agent (the open ballot).
Don't confuse with
- Representation of the People Act 1951: the parent law passed by Parliament. It covers conduct of elections, disqualifications, corrupt practices and disputes. The 1961 Rules only fill in the procedure.
Related concepts
- Representation of the People Act 1951
- Right to contest elections
- Section 8A of the RPA 1951
- Section 9A of the RPA 1951
- Section 10A of the RPA 1951
- Section 11 of the RPA 1951
- Contesting from two constituencies
- By-election
- Election petition
- N.P. Ponnuswami case