Candidate, electoral right defined

Q: When did Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 169, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

In force From 01 Jul 2024 Act 45 of 2023 As on 14 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 2023 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 25 Dec 2023 In force 01 Jul 2024

Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with candidate, electoral right defined. For the purposes of this Chapter— (a) “candidate” means a person who has been nominated as a candidate at any election; The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

For the purposes of this Chapter—
(a) “candidate” means a person who has been nominated as a candidate at any election;
(b) “electoral right” means the right of a person to stand, or not to stand as, or to withdraw from being, a candidate or to vote or refrain from voting at an election.
Section 169, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 171A "Candidate", "Electoral right" defined Text carried over almost unchanged 100%

Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.

Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.

Questions about Section 169

What does Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Candidate, electoral right defined". For the purposes of this Chapter— (a) “candidate” means a person who has been nominated as a candidate at any election;

How do I find court cases under Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 169, section 169 BNS, section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 169 to 177 and 169 bns in ipc. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 171A ("Candidate", "Electoral right" defined), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 169, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.