BNS §172
Personation at elections
Jump to section
Comparison
171D. 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 the voting by any person in any such way, commits the offence of personation at an election. 1. Ins. by Act 39 of 1920, s. 2. 2. Subs. by Act 40 of 1975, s. 9, for cl. (a). 1[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.]
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.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 171D and BNS 172 carry the personation-at-elections offence character-identically including the proxy-vote proviso (a person authorised by law to vote as proxy is not within the offence when voting as a proxy).
Old position
IPC 171D is concerned with Personation at elections. Personation at elections
New position
BNS 172 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: 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
IPC 171D and BNS 172 carry the personation-at-elections offence character-identically including the proxy-vote proviso (a person authorised by law to vote as proxy is not within the offence when voting as a proxy).
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 171D and BNS 172 carry the personation-at-elections offence character-identically including the proxy-vote proviso (a person authorised by law to vote as proxy is not within the offence when voting as a proxy).
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 171D continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 172 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 172 (Personation at elections). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §171D → BNS §172 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-15, https://newlaws.in/bns/172.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.