DROs, ROs, AROs, POs to exercise Magisterial powers

ISLAMABAD—Election Commission of Pakistan has authorized District Returning Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and Presiding Officers to exercise the Magisterial powers during the conduct of polls in election 2008. Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan has informed that the Election Commission of Pakistan has authorized these officials to exercise the powers of a Magistrate of the First Class under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (Act V of 1898) on February 18, 2008 the day appointed for polling for General Elections. The Secretary said they would exercise these powers in respect of the offenses punishable under section 80, section 82A, section 83, section 84, section 85, section 86 and section 87 of the said Act and to take cognizance of any such offence under any of the clauses of sub-section (1) of section 190 of the said Code and to try any such offence in a summary way in accordance with the provisions of the said Code, relating to summary trials.—Online