Army deployed at polling stations not given powers of first class magistrates: ECP

Poll body says it has instead given the powers to election officials who will be serving as in-charges

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) clarified on Tuesday that it had not given the powers of first class magistrate to army soldiers posted at the polling stations for the upcoming general elections.

In a notification, the electoral body said it has instead given the powers of first class magistrate in at least three polling stations to election officials who will be serving as in-charges.

Earlier today, the spokesperson for the armed forces Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor pledged the institution's full support for the upcoming polls and said all 'forces' that wanted to postpone the elections have slowly withered away.



The DG also said the armed forces will fulfil its "non-political and impartial manner". He reiterated that the Army has "no direct role in the conduct of elections".

The armed forces spokesman, while elaborating on the role of the Army in the conduct of polls, said the armed forces have assisted the civilian authorities during previous elections and the practice is not new.