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 meters 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) No person shall convene, hold or attend any public meeting within any ward on the date and dates on or at any time within twenty-four hours, preceding the start of the poll for an election in that ward. (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.