56J. Appointment of dates etc. for various stages of an election
(1) The Returning Officer, with prior approval of the Registrar or the District Election Officer, as the case may be, shall draw and declare a programme of various stages of election, as indicated hereinbelow not earlier than seven days and not later than fifteen days of the display of final list of voters of the society—
(i) | Last date for making nominations. | 7 days from the date of declaration of election programme. |
(ii) | The date of publication of list of nomination received. | As and when received till the last date fixed for making nominations. |
(iii) | Date of scrutiny of nominations. | Next day of the last date for making nominations. |
(iv) | Date of publication of list of valid nomination after scrutiny. | Next day after the date of completion of scrutiny or where there is an appeal, after the appeal is decided. |
(v) | Date by which candidature may be withdrawn. | 2 days from the date of publication of list of valid nominations after scrutiny. |
(vi) | Date of publication of final list of contesting candidates | The date next succeeding the last day for withdrawal of candidature. |
(vii) | Date and time during which and the place/places at which the poll shall be taken. | Not earlier than 10 days but not later than 15 days from the date of publication of final list of contesting candidate (time and place to be fix ^d by the Returning Officer). |
(viii) | Date, time and place for counting of votes. | Not later than 3rd day from the date of which the poll shall be taken, (Time and place to be fixed by the Returning Officer). |
(ix) | Date of declaration of results of voting; | Immediately after the counting of votes. |
Explanation: —
(a) If the date in reckoning dates as specified in the above cases is a public holiday the next succeeding working day shall be fixed for the respective events;
(b) The proportion of polling station to number of voters at each polling station and the place of polling stations shall be fixed in consultation with the notified society concerned. In case the polling stations are spread over either the district, town or village in the District, the Election Officer shall make arrangement to get all the ballot boxes to the office of the Returning Officer or to the registered officer of the societies or to such other safe places as he deems fit.