IPC 171H - Illegal payments in connection with elections
Description of IPC 171H
Description of IPC Section 171H
According to section 171H of Indian penal code, Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorizes expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of such candidate, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees;
Provided that if any person having incurred any such expenses not exceeding the amount of ten rupees without authority obtains within ten days from the date on which such expenses were incurred the approval in writing of the candidate, he shall be deemed to have incurred such expenses with the authority of the candidate.
IPC 171H
| Offence | Illegal payments in connection with elections |
| Punishment | Fine |
| Cognizance | Cognizable |
| Bail | Bailable |
| Triable | Magistrate Court |
Up to ?500 Fine: If expenses are not authorized and exceed ?10, but if authorized within ten days, expenses are deemed legitimate.
IPC 171H in Simple Words
Section 171H of the Indian Penal Code states that anyone who spends money on public meetings, advertisements, or other activities to promote a candidate's election without the candidate's authorization may be fined up to five hundred rupees, but if the candidate approves the expenses within ten days, it will be considered authorized.
Importance and Practical application
IPC Section 171H plays a key role in regulating election campaign expenditures, ensuring that all expenses are transparent, authorized, and within legal limits. This helps prevent undue influence in elections through excessive or unauthorized spending.
Practical application:
Examples: Spending on campaign materials or events without prior consent from the candidate. Legal Consequences: Ensures that all campaign expenses are authorized and documented.Conclusion
By penalizing unauthorized election spending, this section promotes fairness and accountability in campaign financing, preventing candidates or third parties from using excessive funds to unfairly influence election outcomes. It maintains the integrity of the electoral process.