Order for recount of votes in NA-249
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission (EC) has approved the request of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for recount of votes in NA-249 constituency.A four-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner heard the request of PML-N’s Muftah Ismail for recount of votes in NA-249. After hearing the arguments of the parties, the request for recount was accepted in NA-249 Karachi. The ECP said in its order that the recount of votes in NA-249 would take place on May 6 at 9 am.During the hearing, Muftah Ismail’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja took the position that Form 45 was not signed by a large number of presiding officers, Form 45 was not present at 167 polling stations, Form 46 was also issued to our polling agents.
The PML-N lawyer, while requesting an inquiry by the Election Commission into the irregularities in NA-249, said that the action taken after polling in 180 polling stations was not in accordance with the law, only recount of votes in the constituency was not enough. The Commission has to intervene. The Election Commission has wide powers under Article 218. Going beyond the application, I am requesting re-polling in the constituency. Recount of votes in NA-249 by-election is our first demand, if not satisfied. If so, they can demand beyond the recount of votes. I will also file a formal application for re-election.Punjab Member Altaf Qureshi remarked that his application was recounted, re-polling request will come then we will see.