Presiding officers get magisterial powers

ISLAMABAD: Following the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) orders, the presiding officers are now authorized to exercise the powers of a Magistrate of the First Class under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

According to ECP sources, 69,729 presiding officers have completed the training to exercise magisterial authority. The commission had also instructed the officers to take charge of their polling stations from today along with staying overnight at the venue.

The ECP had given the powers to the presiding officers appointed at each polling station of national and provincial assemblies constituencies from May 10 to 12. They will try any election related offence in a summary way in accordance with the provisions of the said code.