Booth Capturing

April 29, 2024

Booth Capturing during elections in India is a 'Corrupt Practice' Under the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA).

About Booth Capturing:

  • Booth-capturing, defined in Section135A of the RPA, includes all or any of the following activities by any person or persons:
    • Seizure of a polling station, affecting the conduct of elections;
    • Taking possession of a polling station, allowing only his or their supporters to vote;
    • Intimidating or threatening any elector and preventing him from going to the polling station;
    • Seizure of a counting place affecting the counting of votes;
    • Involvement of any person in government service in any of the above activities.
  • It is punishable for a term of not less than one year, which may extend to three years for lay people and not less than three years, extending to five years for government servants.
  • In such cases the Election Commission of India, based on the material facts, may
    • Declare the poll at that polling station to be void and direct a fresh poll on a new date; or
    • Countermand the election in the constituency in case booth capturing has taken place in a large number of polling stations, or if it has affected the counting of votes.

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