Who are Returning officers? Section 21 of Representation of the People Act, 1951
For every constituency, for every election to fill a seat or seats in the Council of States and for every election by the members of the Legislative Assembly of a State to fill a seat or seats in the Legislative Council of the State, the Election Commission shall, in consultation with the Government of the State, designate or nominate a returning officer who shall be [an officer of Government or of a local authority.
Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the Election Commission from designating or nominating the same person to be the returning officer for more than one constituency.
The Representation of the People Act 1951
Section 22 Assistant returning officers
Section 24 General duty of the returning officer
Section 25 Provision of polling stations for constituencies
Section 26 Appointment of presiding officers for polling stations
Section 27 General duty of the presiding officer, Section 28 Duties of a polling officer
Section 29 Special provisions in the case of certain elections
PART IVA REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Section 29B Political parties entitled to accept contribution
Section 29C Declaration of donation received by the political parties
PART V CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
CHAPTER I Nomination of Candidates