Section 52 in Himachal Pradesh Municipal Election Rules, 2015
52. Fresh poll in the case of destruction etc. of the ballot box.
(1)If at any election any ballot box is unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Presiding Officer or is in any way tampered with, or is either accidentally or intentionally destroyed, lost or damaged, the polling at the polling station to which such ballot box relates shall be liable to be declared as void.Explanation. - Damage to a ballot box also includes damage or destruction of ballot papers done at the time of counting of votes but before the completion of counting and declaration of result.(2)Whenever the polling at any polling station becomes liable to be declared as void under sub-rule (1), the Presiding Officer shall, as soon as practicable after the act or event causing such damage or destruction, report the matter to the Returning Officer who will report the matter immediately to the Commission and the Commission in the event of being satisfied that in consequence thereof the result of the poll of that polling station can not be ascertained, declare the polling void and shall appoint a day taking the poll afresh at such polling station, and fix the hours during which the poll shall be taken and shall not count the votes cast at other polling stations of the ward until such fresh poll has been completed.
