Declaration of results
Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with declaration of results. When the counting of the votes has been completed, the returning officer [shall, in the absence of any direction by the Election Commission to the contrary, forthwith declare] the result of the election in the manner provided by this Act or the rules made thereunder. The Act came into force on 17 Jul 1951.
When the counting of the votes has been completed, the returning officer 1[shall, in the absence of any direction by the Election Commission to the contrary, forthwith declare] the result of the election in the manner provided by this Act or the rules made thereunder.
Section 66, 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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Youaraj Rai vs Chander Bahadur Karki
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In an election to a Legislative Assembly (single-member constituencies), the limitation period of 45 days prescribed under Section 81 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 for filing an election petition commences from the date on which the returned candidate is declared elected by the Returning Officer under Section 53 (for uncontested elections) or Section 66 (for contested elections), not from the date of publication of overall election results under Section 73. The term 'election' in Section 81 refers to the election in a particular constituency, not the entirety of elections held in the State. The second part of Section 81 (relating to multiple returned candidates with different election dates) applies only to Legislative Council and Council of States elections, not to Legislative Assembly elections.
On this section: After counting of votes, Returning Officer shall forthwith declare result of election; applies to contested elections
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.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… O22-Dharmapuri (SC) Assembly Constituency to the Legislative Assembly General Elections held on 07.t2.2018? - vi) Whether the election of the returned candidate respondent No.l can be declared as null and void without challenging the declaration of the result of election in Form 2lC under Rule 64 read with Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951? - vii) Whether the election of the l"t respondent can be declared as null and void, when the contents of the election petition and relief sought do not attract the provisions of Section 100(l) (d) ofthe Representation ofthe people Act, 1951? - Whether the strong room …
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… declared on 23.05.2019, wherein, the respondent No. 1 was found to have secured a total of 7538 votes; whereas the respondent No. 2 had secured a total of 7383 votes and the petitioner, herein, had secured a total of 1088 votes. The Returning Officer, Tezu, thereafter, issued a declaration in Form 21(c) in terms of Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Rule 64 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, declaring the respondent No. 1 viz. Shri Karikho Kri, an independent candidate, elected, to fill-up the seat of the State Legislative Assembly of 44-Tezu(ST) Assembly Constituency. 4. Calling in question, …
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… Sub-Divisional Officer Hilsa-cum-Returning Officer and others [5]( page-6-1) , the Apex Court in the matter of conduct of election to the Bihar Legislative Assembly had examined the impact of Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Rules 64 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 (In short as "the Rules, 1961") framed thereunder. It was held therein that Section 66 of the Act provides that when the counting of votes has been completed, the Returning Officer must declare forthwith the result …
Questions about Section 66
What have the courts held on Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act?
Youaraj Rai vs Chander Bahadur Karki (15 Dec 2006) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: After counting of votes, Returning Officer shall forthwith declare result of election; applies to contested elections.
How do I find court cases under Section 66 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 66, section 66 RP Act 1951, section 66 of the Representation of the People Act. People searching for it also type representation of the people act 1983 section 66. 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 Youaraj Rai vs Chander Bahadur Karki (15 Dec 2006).
What should I read with Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, and has it changed?
3 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act come into force?
Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, cited as RP Act 1951 66, 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 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.