IPC 171F→BNS 174

IPC 171F to BNS 174: Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election

Section 171F IPC (1860) replaced by Section 174 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 171F →View BNS Section 174 →

IPC 171F to BNS 174 at a Glance

Section 171F IPC (Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election) is now Section 174 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 171F to BNS 174?

Section 171F IPC is now Section 174 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

IPC 171F vs BNS 174: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section171F174
OffencePunishment for undue influence or personation at an electionSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to one year.Same
FineThe offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 171F and BNS 174: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 171F, IPC 1860

171F. Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election.—Whoever commits the offence of undue influence or personation at an election shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 174, BNS 2023

Whoever commits the offence of undue influence or personation at an election shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 171F vs BNS 174

Under IPC 171F
  1. The accused committed the offence of undue influence at an election or the offence of personation at an election
Under BNS 174
  1. An election
  2. The offence of undue influence or the offence of personation at that election by the accused

What IPC 171F to BNS 174 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 171F IPC (now Section 174 BNS): the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 174 BNS and is framed exactly as before.

FAQs: IPC 171F to BNS 174

What changed when Section 171F IPC became Section 174 BNS?▼

Only the number. Section 174 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 171F IPC, and the punishment is the same.

Where does Section 171F IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 174 BNS, in Chapter IX, Of Offences Relating to Elections.

Does Section 171F IPC or Section 174 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 171F IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 171F IPC. Section 174 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·