ISLAMABAD: To ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming by-polls on April 21 for five National Assembly constituencies and sixteen provincial assembly constituencies across the nation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has granted returning officers (ROs) and presiding officers (POs) powers equivalent to those of first-class magistrates.
District returning officers (DROs) and ROs were given magisterial powers under Section 193 of the Election Act of 2017, as per the ECP’s announcement.
The by-elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan are scheduled for April 20–22. The POs will have the authority to exercise it during that time and until the official results are declared.
If a candidate violates the ECPs, ROs and DROs will have the right to take action against them.
For offenses covered by Sections 169 and 171, they will have the authority to act as a first-class magistrate.
In addition, the officers can file a complaint under Section 190 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and hold summary trials in accordance with Chapter XX of the code.
