(1)If the Judge after holding an enquiry is satisfied that-(a)the election of a returned candidate has been procured or induced, or the result of the election has been materially affected, by a corrupt practice, or(b)the election has not been a free election by reason of the general employment of bribery or undue influence as defined in Chapter IXA of the Indian Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) or by reason of any form of general intimidation, including any form of social boycott, or(c)the result of the election has been materially affected by any noncompliance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or by any mistake in the use of any form prescribed for an election or by any error, irregularity or informality on the part of any officer charged with or carrying out any duty under this Act or rules made thereunder,he shall declare the election of such candidate to be void and if the election is set aside for any cause which is the result of acts of a candidate or his agents may declare that candidate to be disqualified for the purpose of such fresh election as may be held under section 22.(2)If, after any such inquiry, the Judge is of opinion that a returned candidate has been guilty by an agent (other than his election agent) or any other person of any corrupt practice which does not amount to any form of bribery other than treating as hereinafter explained or to the procuring or abetment of personation and if the Judge is also of opinion that the candidate has satisfied him that-(a)no corrupt practice was committed at such election by the candidate or his election agent and the corrupt practices which were found by the Judge to have been committed were of a trivial, unimportant and limited character and were committed contrary to the orders and without the sanction or connivance of such candidate or his election agent, and(b)in all other respects the election was free from any corrupt practice on the part of such candidate or any of his agents,then the Judge may find that the election of such candidate is not void.Explanation. - For the purposes of this sub-section "treating" means the incurring in whole or in part by any person of the expense of giving or providingany food, drink, entertainment or provision to any person with the object, directly or indirectly of inducing him or any other person to vote or refrain from voting or as a reward for having voted or refrained from voting.
