KARACHI, Oct 25: The recounting of votes in three constituencies even on the fifth consecutive day on Friday remained inconclusive.
The returning officer, who has shifted the venue from the National Stadium to the city courts, has reportedly received about 50 objections pertaining to violation of recounting rules.
The recounting was ordered by the election commission after receiving objections in which it was pointed out that after closing of voting, MMA’s candidates — Aslam Mujahid from NA-255, Mohammad Muslim from PS-103 and from PS-118 Syed Qutub Ahmad — had been unofficially declared winners.
However, when unofficial results were announced on PT and radio, Mehmood Qureshi of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement from NA-255 and Mohammad Idrees Siddiqui and Faisal Sabzwari of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement from PS-103 and PS-118 were declared elected.
On Friday, which was fifth day of the recounting in NA-255, ten polling stations were covered while in PS-103 votes of seven more polling station were counted, making the total 79 out of 90 polling stations. In PS-118, 35 out of 92 polling stations have been covered so far.
Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, in a statement, alleged that fake votes were being counted along with the valid votes in NA-255, which, he said, was not only violation of rules and regulations but also manifestation of partiality.
He said written objections against the violation were being ignored and demanded of the election commission to take notice and ensure proper recounting.
Syed Qutub Ahmad, the MMA candidate from PS-118, alleged that during recounting over 100 rejected votes were added to the bag of MQM candidate in polling station No 28 and from polling station No 27 the bag of rejected votes was found missing, while from polling stations Nos 29, 59, votes secured by Syed Qutub were added to that of Mr Sabzwari.
