Section 71A in The Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Rules, 1967
71A. [ Fresh poll in case of destruction etc. of boxes. [Rule 71A was inserted by G. N. of 7.6.1990.]
(1)If at any election,-(a)any ballot box used at a polling station is unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Presiding Officer or the Returning Officer or is accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost, or is damaged or tampered with, to such an extent, that the result of the poll at the polling station cannot be ascertained, or(b)any such error or irregularity in the procedure as is likely to vitiate poll is committed at a polling station, -the Returning Officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Collector.(2)The Collector shall, upon receipt of a report, or suo motu, after taking into consideration all material circumstances stated in sub-rule (1) either -(a)declare the poll at the polling station to be void, appoint a day and fix the hours for taking a fresh poll at that polling station and notify such day and the hours in such a manner as he may deem fit, or,(b)If satisfied that the result of a fresh poll at that polling station will not, in any way, affect the result of the election or that the error or irregularity in procedure is not material, issue such directions to the Returning Officer or take such action as he may deem proper for the election.(3)The provisions of the Act, the rules or bye-laws made thereunder shall apply to every such fresh poll as they apply to the original poll.]
