ECP halts recount in PB-21 amid law and order concerns

Forms four-member fact-finding committee to probe incident where miscreants broke into RO's office

ISLAMABAD:

Responding to the prevailing law-and-order situation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday ordered the cessation of the recount process in PB-21 Quetta.

The decision came as the electoral body heard a number of petitions regarding purported electoral fraud in various constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies on Wednesday.During the hearing, the commission issued notices to Returning Officers (ROs) and called for detailed reports on the alleged irregularities.

The ECP, expressing its commitment to addressing concerns, remarked, "We are sitting here to listen to the abuses that happened."In response to the breach of security during the recounting process in PB-21 Quetta, the electoral watchdog formed a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate the incident where miscreants broke into the RO's office and tampered with records.

Meanwhile, in a separate petition, the returning officer of NA-71 Sialkot failed to appear before the ECP despite summons, leading to the adjournment of the hearing until February 22.

Responding to a plea to halt the results of NA-58 Chakwal and PP-87 Khushab, the commission instructed authorities to submit a report before announcing a decision.

During the hearing for the NA-117 case, a video was presented detailing the obstruction of the police and the returning officer's entry.

The commission reserved its decision on the matter.Granting an extension until February 22 to the petitioner in NA-13, the ECP, in the PB-17 acquittal case, reiterated its commitment, stating, "We are sitting here to listen to the abuses that happen," showcasing its determination to address concerns.

The commission issued a notice to the RO rejecting a request for the issuance of a final notification. Additionally, the ECP issued notices for constituencies including NA-251, NA-154 Lodhran, NA-263, Punjab Assembly constituencies PP-41, 45, 46, 49, 97, 50, 51, 122105, 164, 190, 121, 279.

Notices were also issued to four constituencies in Balochistan (PB-28, 38, 48, and 50) and PK-30, with the commission requesting reports by February 21 and 22 to address the identified issues.