Public notice of election
Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with public notice of election. On the issue of a notification under section 30, the returning officer shall give public notice of the intended election in such form and manner as may be prescribed, inviting nominations of candidates for such election and specifying the place at which the nomination papers are to be delivered. The Act came into force on 17 Jul 1951.
On the issue of a notification under section 30, the returning officer 1*** shall give public notice of the intended election in such form and manner as may be prescribed, inviting nominations of candidates for such election and specifying the place at which the nomination papers are to be delivered.
Section 31, The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Act 43 of 1951).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar vs Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-patil
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Improper rejection of a nomination paper under Section 100(1)(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 encompasses not merely errors in the decision-making process of the Returning Officer but also the correctness and merit of the decision itself. The Returning Officer, while exercising quasi-judicial power under Section 36(2) of the Act, must apply the statutory presumption of validity of nomination papers contained in the Election Commission Handbook, placing the burden on the objector to prove invalidity. The Returning Officer cannot shift this burden to the candidate. In an election petition, the High Court acts as a court of original jurisdiction conducting a civil trial, not as an appellate court merely reviewing the decision-making process. The High Court must frame issues, call for evidence from both parties, examine the veracity of rival claims, and decide the matter on merits. A statutory right of a party cannot be denied based on a wrong concession made by counsel.
On this section: Public notice of election
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 31
What have the courts held on Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act?
Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar vs Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-patil (15 May 2009) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Public notice of election.
How do I find court cases under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act?
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: RP Act 1951 31, section 31 RP Act 1951, section 31 of the Representation of the People Act. People searching for it also type representation of the people act 1950 section 31 and section 31 of representation of the people act 1950 43 of 1950. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar vs Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-patil (15 May 2009).
What should I read with Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 30 (Appointment of dates for nominations, etc), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently The Conduct Of Election Rules,1961 (1961).
When did Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act come into force?
Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, cited as RP Act 1951 31, came into force on 17 Jul 1951, having been enacted on 17 Jul 1951. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 123. Corrupt practices1710 words
- 33. Presentation of nomination paper and requirement for a valid nomination1149 words
- 8. Disqualification on conviction for certain offences898 words
- 75A. Declaration of assets and liabilities659 words
- 39. Nomination of candidates at other elections632 words
- 36. Scrutiny of nominations596 words
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 19 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.