The Elections Act 2017

Section 3 subsection 3 clause a of the act states that such a step is to be taken “(a) where the members attending the proceedings of the Commission are four and they are equally divided in their opinion; or (b) where the members attending the proceedings of the Commission are three and there is difference of opinion amongst them.” The ‘or’ in the sentence indicates that this step shall be taken in any of these two scenarios. Hence, option ‘C’ is correct.

The two salient features of the Act are that i) it extends to the whole of Pakistan, and that ii) it shall come into force at once. Among the options given, only option ‘A’ has one of the actual features. Hence, it is the correct answer.

As per section 7, subsection 1, “A Provincial Government, deputy commissioner, political agent or head of district administration, by whatever name called, shall, upon a request made in this behalf by the Commission …”. Since this does not include the Federal Government, hence, option ‘B’ is correct.

Section 10 states that the Commission “may exercise the same power as the High Court to punish any person for contempt of court.” Hence, option ‘B’ is correct.

Section 59 subsection 12 states that “While finalizing the list of polling stations of a constituency, if the District Returning Officer declares a polling station as highly sensitive, the Commission may, in addition to appropriate security measures as may be taken, install or direct any Government to install a surveillance camera in each polling booth of such polling station to record poll proceedings, counting of vote process and preparation of results by the Presiding Officer.” Hence, option ‘A’ is correct.

According to section 28 “The preliminary electoral rolls prepared under section 26, together with a notice inviting claims, objections and applications for corrections, if any, with respect thereto, shall be published and displayed by the Registration Officer for a period of not less than thirty days.” Hence, option ‘B’ is correct.

Section 13 subsection 4 (a) and (b) states that the Returning Officer shall send “(a) scanned copy of the provisional results compiled under sub-section (3); and (b) scanned copies of the Consolidated Statement of the Results of the Count …”. Option ‘B’ incorrectly states ‘Integrated Statement’ instead of the Consolidated Statement of Results of the Count. Therefore, option ‘A’ is correct.

As per section 34 (a) and (b), the said responsibility is of the Registration Officer in accordance with the decision of the Revising Authority. Hence, option ‘D’ is correct.

As per section 12 (c), the Commission may conduct such programmes “regarding the importance of maximum voter enrolment and participation in elections, especially by women, dissemination of information regarding procedure of casting vote, and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.” Hence, option ‘C’ is the correct choice.

Section 193 clause (a) states that such a person under these circumstances shall “exercise the powers of a Magistrate of the first class under the Code in respect of the offences of personation, or capturing of polling station or polling booth …”. Hence, option ‘B’ is correct.