a. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates section 4, 9 or 10 of P.L.1974, c. 26 or section 17 of P.L.1980, c. 74 (C. 19:44A-18.1) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
b. The election to office of any candidate who is guilty of any violation within the description of subsection a. of this section shall be void, and the office shall be filled as required by law in the case of a vacancy; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed in derogation of the constitutional authority of either House of the Legislature to be the judge of the election and qualification of its own members.