Indian Penal Code, 1860
171C. Undue
influence at elections
(1) Whoever
voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any
electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election.
(2) Without prejudice
to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), whoever-
(a) threatens any
candidate or voter, or any person in whom a candidate or voter is interested,
with injury of any kind, or
(b) induces or
attempts to induce a candidate or voter to believe that he or any person in
whom he is interested will become or will be rendered an object of Divine
displeasure or of spiritual censure,
shall be deemed to
interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right of such candidate or
voter, within the meaning of sub-section (1).
(3) A declaration of
public policy or a promise of public action, or the mere exercise of a legal
right without intent to interfere with an electoral right, shall not be deemed
to be interference within the meaning of this section.