As Pakistan gears up for the next general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has granted magistrates unprecedented powers to oversee polling, act on complaints instantly, and impose immediate punitive actions for electoral violations. While the ECP asserts this reform ensures transparency and prevents past poll irregularities, critics argue it dangerously concentrates authority in unelected officials.
The move has divided the legal fraternity, with senior lawyers warning that the expansion blurs the line between judicial and administrative functions. Bar councils across the country have demanded clear, published guidelines to prevent misuse of these powers and potential constitutional challenges, cautioning that unchecked magisterial authority could undermine the very fairness the reform claims to protect.
