ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: The Chief Election Commissioner has authorised the District Returning Officer, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers appointed for by-elections in NA-250 Karachi and PS-71 Dadu and the Presiding Officers appointed for each polling station, to exercise powers of a Magistrate of the First Class under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (Act V of 1898) on February 10.

They could exercise the powers in respect of the offences 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 180 of the said Code of Criminal Procedure and to try any such offence in a summary way in accordance with the provision of the said Code relating to summary trials.—PPI