The Election Commission of Pakistan has officially granted Magistrate First Class powers to District Returning Officers and Returning Officers.
An official notice has been issued, outlining the extension of these powers to ROs and DROs across all national and provincial assemblies.
The notification emphasizes the empowerment of ROs and DROs, designating them with the authority of a Magistrate First Class. This decision aims to streamline and enhance the roles of these officials in ensuring fair and orderly conduct during the electoral processes at both the national and provincial levels.
Meanwhile, the ECP has taken action against 24 candidates and a local government chairman for violating the Code of Conduct during elections, imposing fines as a penalty.
In NA-23 Mardan, candidate Aqib Ismail has been fined Rs 50,000, while from PK-99, Awami National Party candidate Noorani Khan has been imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. Similarly, candidate Ikramullah Ghazi from PK-39 has been fined Rs 10,000. These fines, totalling various amounts, have been submitted to the national treasury through the returning officers as a consequence of the candidates’ breaches. In PP-214, candidates Shahzad Maqbool Bhatta and Muhammad Sharif Rajput have each been fined Rs 15,000. In PP-282, candidate Usama Gujjar has been fined Rs 20,000.
