2.3.5. Mercy Powers

The Governor can grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of punishment or suspend, remit and commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence, against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the state extends. However, the pardoning power of the Governor differs from that of the President in the manner that the President can pardon death sentence, whereas the Governor cannot pardon a death sentence. However, the Governor can suspend, remit or commute a death sentence if the death penalty is awarded in respect of a state law. The pardoning powers of the Governor and the President also differ in respect of the punishment or sentence by a court-martial where the President enjoys the power to pardon, reprieve, remit, suspend or commute whereas the Governor does not possess any power in this respect.