NA-75 by-election results withheld, PML-N accuses PTI of rigging polls
The results of Sialkot’s NA-75 by-election have been withheld after the PML-N accused the PTI of attempting to rig the by-polls.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has received results of 335 polling stations, while the results of 23 stations came in late as the presiding officers went ‘missing’ last night.
The presiding officers approached the ECP in the morning and said that they came in late because of fog.
The PML-N leaders have, however, challenged the results. They claimed the votes submitted by the electoral staff should not be counted.
The ECP has ordered an inquiry into presiding officers going missing and subsequent delay in results. The commission has summoned a report on the matter.
According to the results of 337 polling stations, PML-N’s is leading with 97,588 votes, while PTI’s Ali Asjad is trailing with 94,541 votes.
PML-N candidate writes to election commissioner
PML-N’s Syed Nosheen Iftikhar, who was contesting the election, wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja and asked him to order a recount in all polling stations in Daska.
She claimed that the results of 335 polling stations came in Friday night, while the staff of 23 stations went missing. She said that a forensic audit of all Daska polling stations should be conducted.
Sialkot’s NA-75 seat fell vacant after PML-N MNA Iftikharul Hassan Shah died of a heart attack in August 2020. He was also a member of the standing committees on Interior and Narcotics Control and National Food Security and Research.
Shah was appointed MNA from the area thrice. He won the seat after securing 40,042 votes during the 2018 General Election.
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