Section 146(1) in The Representation of the People Act, 1951
(1)Where in connection with the tendering of any opinion to the President under article 103 or, as the case may be, under sub-section (4) of section 14 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 (20 of 1963), or to the Governor under article 192, the Election Commission considers it necessary or proper to make an inquiry, and the Commission is satisfied that on the basis of the affidavits filed and the documents produced in such inquiry by the parties concerned of their own accord, it cannot come to a decisive opinion on the matter which is being inquired into, the Commission shall have, for the purposes of such inquiry, the powers of a civil court, while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely:—(a)summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;(b)requiring the discovery and production of any document or other material object producible as evidence;(c)receiving evidence on affidavits;(d)requisitioning any public record or a copy thereof from any court or office;(e)issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.
