Aruna Mishra, Centre of Post Graduate Legal Studies, School of Legal Studies, BBAU, Lucknow
The Electoral Offenses are listed in the IPC as well as in the 1951 People Act Representation. These relate to the stage where elections are conducted. There are also a few offences that can be committed during electoral roll preparation, revision, and correction. They are stipulated separately under the People's Act 1950.
The electoral offences under the IPC are listed under the heading "Of Election-related offences" in chapter IXA of that code. This chapter was incorporated in that Code more than 90 years ago in 1920 by the 1920 Indian Elections Offenses and Inquiries Act, when the definition of elections was implemented in a limited way in some legislative bodies under the 1919 Government of India Act. In the sense of the present scenario, the amount of discipline, specifically the measure of fine, forced under a portion of the arrangements of that part might be viewed as amazingly little, however the equivalent was viewed as a serious obstruction during that period. It is felt that the penal rules for such electoral offenses require a fresh look to meet the new electorate’s needs, and some of those offenses call for sterner punishment.
