Section 65 in Haryana Panchayati Raj Election Rules, 1994
65. Scrutiny and rejection of ballot papers.
(1)A ballot paper contained in a ballot box shall be rejected, if -(a)it bears any mark or writing by which the voter can be identified ;(b)it is a spurious ballot paper ;(c)it has been so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper cannot be established ;(d)it bears a serial number, or is of a design, different from the serial numbers of, as the case may be, or design of the ballot paper authorised for use at the particular polling station ;(e)it does not bear any mark which it should have borne under the provisions of sub-rule (3) of Rule 49 ;(f)it has not been marked ;(g)it has been marked in the column of more than one candidates ; or(h)it has been marked by an equipment and in the manner other than the equipment and the manner prescribed for that purpose :Provided that where Returning Officer (Panchayat) or any other officer authorised by him, on being satisfied that any such defect as is mentioned in clause (d) or clause (e) has, in respect of all or any ballot papers used at a polling station, been caused by the mistake or failure on the part of the Presiding Officer or Polling Officer concerned, or has directed that the defect should be over locked a ballot paper shall not be rejected only on the ground of such defect under clause (d) or clause (e) :Provided further that if the mark put by a voter has spread over two columns of the ballot paper the vote shall be counted in favour of the candidate in which column the major portion of the mark falls.(2)Before rejecting any ballot paper under sub-rule (1) the Returning Officer (Panchayat) or such other officer authorised by him shall allow [each counting agent] [Substituted by Legislative Supplement Part III dated 4.11.1994.] present a reasonable opportunity to inspect the ballot paper but shall not allow him to handle it or any other ballot paper.(3)The Returning Officer (Panchayat) or such other officer authorised by him, shall record on every ballot paper which he rejects the letter 'R' and the grounds of rejection in abbreviated form whether in his own hand or by means of a rubber stamp.(4)All ballot papers rejected under this rule shall be bundled together.
