(a) Whoever, being an inspector of any primary election, clerk or other officer or person having the custody of any registration records, oaths, return of votes, certificates, poll lists or any paper, document or evidence of any description in this chapter directed to be made, filed or preserved, steals, wilfully destroys, mutilates, defaces, falsifies or fraudulently removes or secretes the whole or any part thereof, or fraudulently makes any entry, erasure or alteration therein, except as allowed and directed by this chapter, or permits any other person to do so, shall, for every such offense, be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) Whoever, other than an officer mentioned in subsection (a) of this section, commits any of the acts specified in such subsection (a) or advises, procures or abets the commission of the same shall, for every such offense, be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.