Election law in India

Section 127A: Restrictions on Printing Election Pamphlets and Posters

Section 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 requires identification of printers and publishers of election campaign material, prescribed declarations and submission of copies to election authorities. Non-compliance can result in imprisonment or a fine.

Penalty under Section 127A(4): Imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to Rs. 2,000, or both, for contravening subsection (1) or (2).

Section 127A - Legal provisions explained

Subsection (1): Printer and publisher details

No person may print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, an election pamphlet or poster unless the names and addresses of both the printer and publisher appear on its face. This requirement helps identify those responsible for campaign material.

Subsection (2): Declaration and delivery of printed material

Before printing, the publisher must provide the printer with a declaration of the publisher's identity, signed by the publisher and attested by two persons personally acquainted with the publisher, in duplicate. Within a reasonable time after printing, the printer must send one copy of the declaration together with one copy of the printed material:

To the Chief Electoral Officer when printed in the capital of a State.
To the District Magistrate of the district where printed in other cases.

Subsection (3): Meaning of printing and election pamphlet or poster

Printing includes any method of multiplying copies of a document other than copying by hand. An election pamphlet or poster includes printed pamphlets, handbills or other documents distributed to promote or prejudice the election of a candidate or group of candidates, and placards or posters referring to an election.

It excludes material merely announcing the date, time, place or other particulars of an election meeting, and routine instructions issued to election agents or workers.

Subsection (4): Punishment

Contravention of subsection (1) or (2) is punishable by imprisonment for a term extending to six months, or a fine extending to two thousand rupees, or both. These penalties are specified in the Act and are distinct from administrative measures that may be available under other applicable laws.

Election Commission instructions for printing presses

In addition to the statutory requirements, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed printing presses to comply with prescribed declaration and reporting procedures. Under the ECI instructions, the printer is to submit four copies of each printed election document with the publisher's declaration within three days of printing, and furnish details of the number of copies printed and the printing charges in the prescribed format. These procedural directions supplement the Act's requirement of submission within a reasonable time.

The ECI has also emphasised clear identification of printers and publishers on printed election-related hoardings and outdoor publicity material, including in its directions of 10 April 2024.

Practical compliance checklist

Obtain the publisher's signed declaration in duplicate, attested by two persons personally acquainted with the publisher.
Print the names and full addresses of the printer and publisher clearly on the material.
Retain the declaration and records of the print order, quantities and charges.
Submit the declaration, printed copies and required particulars to the appropriate Chief Electoral Officer or District Magistrate within the ECI's prescribed timeframe.
Check current election-specific ECI and State or UT Chief Electoral Officer directions before printing.

Related election law provisions

Section 123 deals with corrupt practices; Section 125 addresses promoting enmity in connection with elections; and Section 126 regulates specified campaign activity during the 48-hour period before the conclusion of polling.

Official sources and guidance

Updated: 5 October 2026. This article explains the statutory provisions and administrative directions; election-specific instructions should be checked for applicability.