Illegal payments in connection with an election

What this section does

This section penalises a person who incurs or authorises election-related expenses (such as public meetings, advertisements, circulars, or publications) to promote a candidate's election without the candidate's written authority. A proviso allows retrospective written approval within ten days for expenses not exceeding ten rupees.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Fine up to ten thousand rupees.

Triable by

Any Magistrate

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused incurred or authorised expenses for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of a candidate
2. Such expenses were on account of a public meeting, advertisement, circular, publication, or any other means
3. The accused did not have the general or special written authority of the candidate to incur such expenses
4. The retrospective approval proviso (expenses not exceeding ten rupees, approved in writing within ten days) does not apply

Derived from IPC s.171H.