The Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct a recount of 39 polling stations in Balochistan Assembly’s PB-21 Hub constituency and accepts Ali Hasan Zehri’s application.
The ECP took the decision on Wednesday with a majority of two members. ECP member Babar Hasan Bharwana dissented and recommended re-polling instead of a recount in the 39 polling stations. The majority decision was issued by members Nisar Ahmad Durrani and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan.
In the majority order, the ECP directed the Returning Officer for PB-21 Hub to conduct the recount within three working days and give advance notice to all candidates or their agents before the recount.
The Balochistan government has been asked to ensure foolproof security on the recount day. In his dissenting note, Babar Hasan Bharwana stated that re-polling should be done in the 39 polling stations instead of a recount.
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on February 5 refused leave to appeal in an election dispute over the PB-21 Hub as it upheld the Balochistan High Court’s (BHC) decision, effectively upholding the recount ordered by the ECP.
An FCC bench headed by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition filed by Muhammad Saleh Bhotani, who had initially been declared the returned candidate in the February 8, 2024 general election.
According to the record, provisional results issued through Form-47 showed that Bhotani secured 30,910 votes, significantly ahead of runner-up Rajab Ali Rind and third-placed candidate Ali Hassan Zehri.
However, Zehri later requested a recount alleging irregularities, including the expulsion of his polling booths from several polling stations, alleged manipulation of ballot papers and law and order concerns in parts of the constituency.
