LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday ordered recounting of votes cast in the Aug 22 by-elections at all polling stations of Lahore’s PP-150 constituency within three days.

The order comes two days after the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) staged demonstrations outside the Punjab Assembly building and blocked Lahore’s Mall Road in protest against alleged rigging during the by-polls.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani took suo motu notice of the protests and summoned all the candidates of the constituency to Islamabad. After hearing points of view from all sides, Justice Jilani directed recounting at all polling stations of the constituency within three days.

According to initial results, Mian Marghoob from the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) had emerged victorious from the constituency, defeating Mahr Wajid Azeem of the PTI.

PTI Punjab chapter president Ejaz Chaudhary had filed a recounting application for PP-150 as soon as the results were announced. When the request was denied by the returning officer, the PTI held protests at Mall Road and threatened to hold nationwide hunger strikes to protest the alleged rigging.

The Election Commission, finally taking notice of the disturbance, has ordered a recounting of the votes in PP150 within three days.