ECP orders recounting in one NA, 2 PA constituencies

ISLAMABAD: As the results of general elections still continue pouring in, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Saturday ordered re-polling in NA-88, Khushab-II, Sindh Assembly constituency PS-18, Ghotki-I and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly constituency PK-90 Kohat-I on February 15 due to violent incidents.

According to ECP spokesman, the election material of as many as 26 polling stations in NA-88, Khushab-II, was burnt by a mob in the office of Returning Officer.

Similarly, in PS-18 Ghotki-I, the constituency of Sindh Assembly, unidentified persons snatched polling material of two polling stations. Re-polling will also be conducted on February 15 at the respective polling stations of PS-18, Ghotki-I.

The ECP has ordered re-polling in 26 polling stations in NA-88 Khushab-II constituency on February 15 due to the burning of polling material by a mob in the returning officer’s office.

The commission has issued re-polling order in 25 polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s PK-90, Kohat-I constituency on February 15, after terrorists had destroyed the polling material of these polling stations. The ECP said that the results of these constituencies will be announced after the completion of polling on February 15.

Meanwhile, the commission has directed the Regional Election Commissioner to investigate the incident and submit an inquiry report to the commission within three days after receiving a complaint of vandalism at a polling station in NA-242 Karachi. A video circulating on social media purportedly had shown PPP candidate Abdul Qadir Mandokhel, breaking into a polling station in this constituency of Keamari district. The clip captured vandalism and destruction of ballot boxes, raising concerns about the integrity of electoral process.

In a related development, the ECP has summoned Firdous Ashiq Awan, a leader of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, for hearing on Monday along with the police officer concerned who was slapped. According to the Election Commission spokesman, details of the incident were placed before the commission, after which the commission decided to summon both of them for hearing.