Section 3 in Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Election to Committee) Rules, 2014
3. Powers of State Co-operative Election Authority (SCEA).
- In order to conduct the elections of the co-operative societies, the SCEA shall have the following powers, namely :-(i)to appoint any officer or employee of the State Government, or any Co-operative Society, or any Local Body on any post with such designation and duties for the purpose of conducting the elections; and it shall be obligatory on every officer or employee so appointed, to perform the duties assigned to him, failing which he shall be liable for prosecution for having committed contempt of the lawful authority of the public servant within the meaning of Chapter 'X' of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 :Provided that, the State Co-operative Election Authority may by general or special order direct any officer or employee of the State Government not below the rank of District Deputy Registrar to exercise its powers under this clause :Provided further that, such officer or employee shall work under the general superintendence and control of the State Co-operative Election Authority ;(ii)to requisition any public or private premises, vehicles, services or any other material required for holding the election, from any office of the State Government, Local Body, Cooperative Societies as he may deem necessary. On service of such requisition, it shall be obligatory on the authority to whom such requisition is made, to forthwith hand over the possession of premises, vehicles or any other material, as the case may be, to the Requisitioning Authority or any person authorized by him in that behalf ;(iii)to prescribe the code of conduct to be implemented in the area of operation of the society according to the nature of business or class of societies;(iv)to appoint Observers and Zonal officers, who shall be appointed with a view to keep watch for smooth and fair conduct of elections as and when required.(v)to issue such special or general orders or directions for fair and free elections, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Act and the Rules.(vi)to issue general or special orders, from time to time, regarding the estimated amount of election expenditure for societies or class of societies to be deposited in the 'Election Fund' in advance by the society as required by sub-section (13) of section 73 CB of the Act. The State Co-operative Election Authority may consider to determine estimated amount of expenditure based on criteria's such as number of voters, number of candidates, number of polling stations, number of constituencies, area of operation, class of the societies, etc. for the conduct of the free and fair elections of the societies, including the election of the office bearers.Part - II Types of Societies
