Section 24 · Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station and of public meeting on election day

(1) No person shall, on the date or dates on which the poll is taken at any polling station, commit any of the following acts within the polling station, or in any public or private place within a distance of one hundred metres of the polling station, namely :- (a) canvassing for votes; or (b) soliciting the votes of any elector; or (c) persuading any elector not to vote for any particular candidate; or (d) persuading any elector not to vote at the election; or (e) exhibiting any notice or sign (other than an official notice) relating to the election. 2[(2) No person shall,- (a) convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election; or (b) display to the public any election matter by means of cinematography, television or other similar apparatus; or (c) propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public thereto; in any polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll for any election in that polling area. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine not exceeding rupees ten thousand, or with both. 1. Sub-section (4) added vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. 2. Sub-sections (2) and (3) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 5 of 2002. Explanation .- In this section the expression "election matter" means any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election.] (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees. (4) An offence committed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be cognizable.