Section 52 in Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976
52. Removal of ballot papers [or voting machine] [Deemed to have been Inserted by Act 17 of 2009 w.e.f.28.5.2009.] from polling station to be an offence.
(1)Any person who at any election fraudulently takes or attempts to take a ballot paper [or voting machine] [Deemed to have been Inserted by Act 17 of 2009 w.e.f.28.5.2009.] out of a polling station or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.(2)If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), such officer may, before such person leaves the polling station, 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 woman with strict regard to decency.(3)Any ballot paper [or voting machine] [Deemed to have been Inserted by Act 17 of 2009 w.e.f.28.5.2009.] 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 officer, shall be kept by such officer in safe custody.(4)An offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.
