204. Removal of ballot paper from Polling station to be an offence.
(1)Any person, who at any election fraudulently takes or attempts to take a ballot paper out of a polling station or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees or with both.(2)If the Presiding Officer of a Polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), such officer may, before such person leaves the polling station, arrest or direct a Police Officer to arrest such person and may search such person or cause him to be searched by a Officer :Provided that when it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency.(3)Any ballot paper found upon the person arrested on search shall be made over to a Police Officer for safe custody by the Presiding Officer or when the search is made by a Police Officer shall be kept by such officer in safe custody.(4)An offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.
