February 21, 2008	Thursday	Safar 13, 1429

LAYYAHA, Feb 20: Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) supporters pelted the court of Karor Lal Esan returning officer with stones and smashed its doors as the judge rejected the vote recount plea of the party candidate from NA-181 here on Wednesday.

In Feb 18 general election, Bahadur Ahmed Khan Sehar of the PML-Q defeated Sahibzada Faiz-ul-Hassan of PML-N by securing 58,780 votes against Sahibzada’s 56,891 votes.

Sahibzada submitted vote recount application in the court of RO Nazir Ahmed Langah, which was rejected. On this, Sahibzada demanded certified copy of the RO’s decision.

Eyewitnesses told Dawn the RO was reluctant to issue the copy.

Meanwhile, hundreds of PML-N supporters assembled in front of the court of additional session judge (RO) and started chanting anti-rigging slogans. The mob pelted the building with stones and smashed the doors.

The DCO and DPO reached the RO’s court along with a heavy police contingent. After negotiations between the PML-N local leaders and district administration, the RO issued the certified copy of his decision.

On Sahibzada’s request, the room where the ballot boxes were placed was sealed and police constables were deputed to guard it.

Later, PML-N workers dispersed peacefully.

Sahibzada Faiz-Ul-Hassan alleged that PML-Q candidate had used a large number of bogus votes to turn his victory into defeat.

He said that he would also move high court to stop the notification of election result of NA-181.