BNS Section 176 — Illegal payments in connection with an election

Summary

Whoever spends money or authorises spending on a public meeting, advertisement, circular, publication, or any other activity to promote or help a candidate get elected, without having the candidate's written permission (either general or special), can be fined up to ten thousand rupees.

However, if a person spent such an amount not exceeding ten rupees without permission, and within ten days from the date of spending gets the candidate's written approval, then that spending is treated as if it had been done with the candidate's authority.

Official Text

Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises 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 ten thousand 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.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.9 p.283 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §171H — Illegal payments in connection with an election