Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct a recount at 39 polling stations in Balochistan Assembly’s PB-21 Hub constituency, accepting Ali Hasan Zehri’s application.
The ECP took the decision on Wednesday by a majority of two members. ECP member Babar Hasan Bharwana dissented and recommended re-polling instead of a recount at 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 of PB-21 Hub to conduct the recount within three working days and to give prior notice to all candidates or their agents before the recount.
The Government of Balochistan has been directed to ensure foolproof security on the day of recounting. In his dissenting note, Babar Hasan Bharwana stated that re-polling should be conducted at the 39 polling stations instead of a recount.
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on February 5 refused to grant leave to appeal in an election dispute relating to PB-21 Hub as it upheld the Balochistan High Court’s (BHC) decision, effectively endorsing the recount ordered by the ECP.
An FCC bench led 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 elections.
According to the record, provisional results issued through Form-47 showed Bhotani securing 30,910 votes, significantly ahead of runner-up Rajab Ali Rind and third-placed candidate Ali Hassan Zehri.
However, Zehri later sought recounting, alleging irregularities, including expulsion of his polling agents from several polling stations, alleged ballot tampering, and law-and-order concerns in parts of the constituency.
