127N. Removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence.
- Any person who at the Panchayat Election fraudulently take or at temps to take a ballot paper out of a polling station, or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.If the Presiding Officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any -person is committing or has, committed an offence punishable under this section; such officer may, before such person leaves the polling stations arrest or direct a police officer to arrest such person and may search such person or cause him to be searched by a Police Officer:Provided that when it is necessary to cause a women to be searched, the search shall be made by another women with strict regard to decency.Any ballot paper found upon the person arrested on search shall be made over for safe custody to a police officer by the Presiding Officer, or when the search is made by a police shall be kept by such officer in safe custody.An offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable and bailable.
