Personation at elections

Q: When did Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 172, 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 15 Oct 2026

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

Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with personation at elections. Whoever at an election applies for a voting paper on votes in the name of any other person, whether living or dead, or in a fictitious name, or who having voted once at such election applies at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, and whoever abets, procures or attempts to procure t The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever at an election applies for a voting paper on votes in the name of any other person, whether living or dead, or in a fictitious name, or who having voted once at such election applies at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, and whoever abets, procures or attempts to procure the voting by any person in any such way, commits the offence of personation at an election:.
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a person who has been authorised to vote as proxy for an elector under any law for the time being in force in so far as he votes as a proxy for such elector.
Section 172, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 171D Personation at elections Text carried over almost unchanged 90%

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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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 172

What does Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Personation at elections". Whoever at an election applies for a voting paper on votes in the name of any other person, whether living or dead, or in a fictitious name, or who having voted once at such election applies at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, and whoever abets, procures or attempts to procure t

How do I find court cases under Section 172 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 172, section 172 BNS, section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 172(2) and bns 172 1. 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 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 171D (Personation at elections), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 172, 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.