National and Provincial Assemblies (Elections to Reserved Seats) Act, 1976

This 1976 Act set out the procedure for electing members to seats in the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies that are reserved for women or specific communities (Section 7), rather than seats filled through general elections. It established rules for how the Election Commission conducts these elections, resolves disputes about them, and deals with corrupt practices connected to them.

Chapter II covers how the Election Commission itself operates: decisions are made by majority vote among its members (Section 3), and the Commission has the same power to punish contempt as a High Court (Section 4). Chapter IV limits how much a candidate can spend on their election campaign and requires them to file a return of election expenses, which can be inspected (Sections 9-11).

A large part of the Act (Chapter V, Sections 12-37) sets up a detailed process for challenging an election result through an "election petition" filed before a specially appointed Election Tribunal, covering who can file a petition, how it is tried, what evidence rules apply, and the grounds on which a Tribunal can declare an election (or an individual's win) void.

Chapter VI defines election-related offences -- corrupt practice, bribery, undue influence, and illegal practice (Sections 38-42) -- and Chapter VII sets out disqualifications from holding a reserved seat, including disqualification for certain offences, with a process for removing that disqualification later (Sections 48-50).

Importantly, a footnote in the extract states that this Act was repealed in its application to elections covered by the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (Act No. 85 of 1976). This means much of the Act's practical effect has since been superseded by later election law, and Section 57 itself was later omitted by a 1981 ordinance. Readers should treat this as largely historical and check current election legislation (including later Elections Act reforms) for what actually governs reserved-seat elections today.