Section 17A in The M.P. Krishi Upaj Mandi (Mandi Samiti Ka Nirvachan) Rules, 1997
17A. [ Observers. [Inserted by Notification No. D-5-86-97-XIV-3. dated 6-3-1999.]
(1)The Divisional Commissioner may nominate an observer, not below the rank of Class-I Officer of the State Government, to watch the proceedings of elections in a Mandi Committee or a group of Mandi Committees and to perform such other functions as may be entrusted to him by the Divisional Commissioner.(2)The observer nominated under sub-rule (1) shall have the power to direct the Returning Officer for any Mandi Committee for which he has been nominated, to stop the counting of votes at any time before the declaration of the result, or not to declare the result if in the opinion of the observer booth capturing has taken place at any polling station of that Mandi area or at the place fixed for counting of votes or any ballot papers used at polling station are unlawfully taken out from the custody of the Returning Officer accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost or damaged or tampered with to such an extent that the result of the poll at that polling station cannot be ascertained.(3)Where an observer has directed the Returning Officer to stop counting of votes or not to declare the result, the observer shall forthwith report the matter to the District Election Officer and thereupon the District Election Officer shall, after taking all material circumstances into account, issue appropriate directions under Rule 69.Explanation.-The expression booth capturing shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 14-D of the Madhya Pradesh Local Authorities (Electoral Offences) Act, 1961.]
