SWABI, May 17: The recounting of votes for PK-36, Swabi-VI, started here on Friday in the presence of PTI and PML-N candidates, while those who received less number of ballots in May 11 election authorised the returning officer concerned to complete the process in their absence.

Rangaiz Khan, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf candidate from PK-36, secured the order for vote recount from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday. In the order it was directed that results of the recounting of votes should be provided to the ECP till Monday (May 20).

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Shiraz Khan (12,923 votes) has won election from this constituency, defeating Mr Rangaiz (12,734 votes) with a difference of just 189 votes.

However, Mr Rangaiz claimed that there was a difference of about 1,000 votes in the result. Immediately after the result announcement he submitted an application for vote recounting, but his demand was not entertained and he approached the ECP.

Mr Rangaiz’ son and seven supporters were injured when the police baton-charged them when they staged a protest demonstration here near the office of returning officer on May 13.

Answering a question, Mr Rangaiz said: “I just want recounting of votes and if Mr Shiraz emerges as winner after the vote recount I would congratulate him.”

MARDAN: Returning Officer Ikhtiar Khan has fixed May 20 (Monday) for order in the application for re-counting filed with him by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf candidate for NA-9, Mardan-I.

PTI candidate Nasir Khan advocate contested elections on NA-9 against Awami National Party candidate Ameer Haider Hoti and other political and independent candidates. In his application, Mr Nasir argued that on the night of May 11 he was leading by 5,000 votes against Mr Hoti, but on May 12 the situation had changed and Mr Hoti was officially declared as the winner from NA-9.

The returning officer fixed May 20 for order in the application after hearing arguments of counsels of both the parties.

Besides, he also fixed May 20 for preliminary hearing of application for re-counting filed by PML-N candidate Khawaja Mohammad Hoti, another contestant from NA-9.

Khwaja Hoti has also sent an application to the chief election commissioner to order verification of thumb impressions on ballots through the Nadra.