PESHAWAR, Oct 25: The Election Commission (EC) has given the presiding officers for the PF-51 by-election, the powers of a magistrate to ensure smooth polling on the election day on Nov 5.

According to the assistant public relations officer at the EC, the presiding officers would exercise powers of the first class magistrate under the Code of the Criminal Procedure in respect of offences punishable under sections 80, 82A, 83 and 87, and the sub-section-1 of the section-190 of the code.

The EC has also directed the NWFP chief secretary to declare Nov 5 as a public holiday, to facilitate voters to cast their ballot without any hindrance. The polling shall be held from 8am to 5pm.

By-election to the Haripur-III constituency was ordered by the election commission after the killing of ANP MPA Akhter Nawaz Khan, who was elected on this provincial assembly seat in the Feb 18 elections.