¹[89A. ²[1] Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), any person for the time being performing any duty in connection with an election, excluding any member of a law enforcing agency, may, if authorized by the Commission, by general or special order, in this behalf-

(a) exercise the powers of a Magistrate of the first class under the said Code in respect of the offences punishable under ³[Article 73(2B), 74(2A), (3), (4), (5), (6),], Article 78, Article 79, Article 80, Article 81(1) ⁴[, Article 82, Article 91B(3)]; and

(b) take cognizance of any such offence under any of the clauses of sub-section (1) of section 190 of the said Code, and shall try any such offence in a summary manner in accordance with the provisions of the said Code relating to summary trials.]

⁵[(2) The Superintendent of Police, Police Commissioner, the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station and the commander or any officer in-charge of any force engaged in election duty, shall provide striking force and render such other assistance as may be required by the person performing duties under this Article for the due discharge of his functions under this Order; and if any of the aforesaid persons fails, refuses, or neglects to comply, without any reasonable cause, he may be deemed to be guilty of inefficiency or misconduct.

(3) The Returning Officer and the Assistant Returning Officer shall provide all necessary assistance as may be required by the person performing duties under this Article for the due discharge of his functions under this Order.]