Section 72. Grounds for which candidate other than the returned candidate may be declared elected

If any person who has lodged a petition has, in addition to calling in question to the election of the returned candidate, claimed a declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected and the District Judge is of opinion— (a) that in fact the petitioner or such other candidate received a majority of the valid votes ; or (b) that but for the votes obtained by the returned candidate by corrupt practice the petitioner of such other candidate would have obtained a majority of the valid votes ; the District Judge shall after declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void declare the petitioner or such other candidate, as the case may be, to have been duly elected.