IPC §171C → BNS §171

Undue influence at elections

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checked
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Indian Penal Code, 1860 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Text verified against official sources where indicated. Field-level labels (AI-indicated / AI-inferred / Text-verified) apply per edge metadata. Verify current bail/cognizable status against official sources before relying on procedural claims. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

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Comparison

Old law
IPC §171C
Undue influence at elections

171C. Undue influence at elections.—(1) Whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), whoever— (a) threatens any candidate or voter, or any person in whom a candidate or voter is interested, with injury of any kind, or (b) induces or attempts to induce a candidate or voter to believe that he or any person in whom he is interested will become or will be rendered an object of Divine displeasure or of spiritual censure, shall be deemed to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right of such candidate or voter, within the meaning of sub-section (1).

(3) A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action or the mere exercise or a legal right without intent to interfere with an electoral right, shall not be deemed to be interference within the meaning of this section.

New law
BNS §171
Undue influence at elections

(1) Whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), whoever—

(a) threatens any candidate or voter, or any person in whom a candidate or voter is interested, with injury of any kind; or

(b) induces or attempts to induce a candidate or voter to believe that he or any person in whom he is interested will become or will be rendered an object of Divine displeasure or of spiritual censure,

shall be deemed to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral right of such candidate or voter, within the meaning of sub-section (1).

(3) A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action or the mere exercise or a legal right without intent to interfere with an electoral right, shall not be deemed to be interference within the meaning of this section.

What changedAI-inferred

IPC 171C and BNS 171 carry the undue-influence-at-elections offence character-identically. IPC 171C's structure (offence definition + sub-clause (a) threats + sub-clause (b) Divine-displeasure + Explanation carve-out) is restated as BNS 171 sub-sections (1), (2)(a), (2)(b), (3). The 'mere exercise of a legal right without intent to interfere' carve-out is preserved.

Old position

IPC 171C is concerned with Undue influence at elections. Undue influence at elections

New position

BNS 171 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Undue influence at elections. Whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election

IPC 171C and BNS 171 carry the undue-influence-at-elections offence character-identically. IPC 171C's structure (offence definition + sub-clause (a) threats + sub-clause (b) Divine-displeasure + Explanation carve-out) is restated as BNS 171 sub-sections (1), (2)(a), (2)(b), (3). The 'mere exercise...

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

IPC 171C and BNS 171 carry the undue-influence-at-elections offence character-identically. IPC 171C's structure (offence definition + sub-clause (a) threats + sub-clause (b) Divine-displeasure + Explanation carve-out) is restated as BNS 171 sub-sections (1), (2)(a), (2)(b), (3). The 'mere exercise of a legal right without intent to interfere' carve-out is preserved.

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 171C continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 171 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 171 (Undue influence at elections). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.

Government source

The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.

Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §171C → BNS §171 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/ipc/171C.

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.