Representation of the People Act, 1951 · Chapter V: Counting of Votes
Section 66: 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.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 16 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.