PML-N leader declared winner in NA-215 vote recount

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

KARACHI: An election tribunal on Saturday declared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Syed Ghous Ali Shah successful in the NA-215 constituency in Khairpur, overturning the election of PPP candidate Nawab Ali Wassan.

The tribunal had ordered a vote recount on the Khairpur constituency after the former Sindh chief minister and senior PML-N leader moved the tribunal claiming that “unprecedented massive rigging had been committed in the last elections in the constituency”.

Last year, Ghous Ali Shah had challenged the election on both the National Assembly seat as well as the provincial assembly seat in the constituency.

The PS-29 seat was won by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, while the NA-215 seat was won by Nawab Ali Wassan, is a relative of former Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wassan.

Both PPP candidates had denied the allegations of electoral irregularities and rigging.

Ghous Ali Shah had sought verification of thumb impressions on the ballots, claiming that several irregularities were committed by returned candidates in the polls.

Announcing the ruling on the election petition today, former Sindh High Court Judge Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani declared Syed Ghous Ali Shah as the winner.

The tribunal in its judgment said that there was substantial evidence that led to the conclusion that the returned candidate has committed corrupt practices during the May 2013 election.

The tribunal declared the election of returned candidate Wassan as void under Section 68(d) of the Representation of Peoples Act 1976, and declared the petitioner being the runner up as the elected winner.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

CM Murad inaugurates Karachi's Empress Market after restoration

Oppressive heat and humidity drain Karachi’s life and energy

Man in Karachi sentenced to death for rape, murder of teenage girl

Dr Salman

Dec 06, 2014 05:33pm

fair election???

Recommend 0

pakistani

Dec 06, 2014 05:39pm

Wow quick decision when I'm favour of PML-N while still no decision where PTI is asking for justice

Recommend 0

Sohail

Dec 06, 2014 05:39pm

Please corrects its NA 215 not 125.

Recommend 0

Concerned

Dec 06, 2014 05:50pm

Another proof of rigging. No more comments needed.

Recommend 0

Shuaib Bhat

Dec 06, 2014 05:52pm

All parties did some rigging INCLUDING PTI!! Their candidates in Peshawar and Karachi were disqualified. It seems PTI never mentions that and in fact most PTI supporters don't even know it. Such hypocrisy, uffff!!!!

Recommend 0

Musarrat javed

Dec 06, 2014 05:57pm

So PTI claims are valid, this what coming out of this decision. Well done Election Commission, so two years to get the justice. But it is important to see if the culprit will be punished or NO

Recommend 0

ahmed hafeez

Dec 06, 2014 05:57pm

Oh yes glory for PML-N.Justice prevails

Recommend 0

jahangir Khan

Dec 06, 2014 06:06pm

So khan sb..If you want a recounting..you might be surprised that PML N might end up taking more seats..And if reelactions now then surely more than 200 seats confirmed for PML N after tehir good performance..Or say lack of performance by others if PML N not performed..

Recommend 0

jahangir Khan

Dec 06, 2014 06:08pm

This was in case of PPP. Pray that PML N do not raise complain in KPK constituencies..

Recommend 0

Azeem Malik

Dec 06, 2014 06:09pm

Oh the Irony.

Recommend 0

Zahid Khan

Dec 06, 2014 06:12pm

So Imran Khan is 100% right, the more we look into these allegations of vote rigging, the more cans of worms we open. Now all allegations must be investigated by a totally independent team.

Recommend 0

Reader

Dec 06, 2014 06:14pm

Will PPP now stand up against NS in the assembly now and ask for his resignation?

Recommend 0

Farhan

Dec 06, 2014 06:16pm

At least fix your headline. Its NA 215 not 125.

Recommend 0

LOl

Dec 06, 2014 06:19pm

It is NOT NA-125 but 215.....PMLN can never win from NA 125 as it is the most educated constituency in Lahore

Recommend 0

ali

Dec 06, 2014 06:38pm

same thing imran khan is asking for

Recommend 0

ahmedj

Dec 06, 2014 06:59pm

Who are the criminals behind the fraud. What will happen to the corrupt team of Election Commission sponsoring dishonest practices? The court has to answer now

Recommend 0

I. Ahmed

Dec 06, 2014 07:16pm

Justice delayed is justice denied! An illegal representative was part of assembly for nearly 19 months and proper representative was denied the right to represent people. What sham democracy is this?

Recommend 0

AJamal

Dec 06, 2014 07:22pm

Why Tribunal has taken over 1 1/2 years to announce the judgement? More importantly provincial assembly case is not decided.

Recommend 0

M.M.Sherazi

Dec 06, 2014 07:23pm

Well, what everyone has to understand from the coterie of PTI, that, fact cannot be denied by demonstrations or processions in the form of Sit-ins...Let Election Commission of Pakistan to establish itself as free and fair entity that shall neither be influenced nor tamed by the ghosts.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

Dec 06, 2014 07:33pm

Rigging has been done in 2013 elections and PML-N has also suffered. So why blame PML-N for all wrong doings.

Recommend 0

zak

Dec 06, 2014 08:03pm

@Shuaib Bhat You need to hear properly. IK said name any constituency and he will support its re-count. Neither PPP or PML-N and even JUI-F came out with one. end of story. Pehaps you could come out and name a few with a petition to the cec.

Recommend 0

Abbas khan

Dec 06, 2014 08:09pm

I think he would resign or be part of the opposition benches since N league is a family business or Pujab based party and doesn't deserve such dedicated people like G. A Shah.

Recommend 0

zafar

Dec 06, 2014 08:14pm

This is as simplistic as it can get. While proof of no amount of rigging is enough to invalidate any of the winners in Punjab, in Sindh a different measure is used. Would the judge in his ruling tell us what was the specific nature of rigging, how many votes were rigged, how many votes were invalid and what was the basis of his final decision.

Recommend 0

zafar

Dec 06, 2014 08:16pm

@Shuaib Bhat Bhat sahab, you stick to your own country. Disqualification is not rigging. PTI lost the bye election from NA-1 Peshawar when its government was in power in KPK, a seat vacated by IK himself. If they wanted to rig, that was the one seat to do it.

Recommend 0

Liaquat

Dec 06, 2014 08:26pm

@Concerned Yes another but rigging against N league. Does it mean rigging was against NS not IK. Then why IK is making noise when proof is there that it is in fact against N league.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Ali

Dec 06, 2014 08:47pm

This proves that no matter how independent CEC is and how constitutionally he’s selected, the entire system is corrupt. We as a nation do not deserve democracy, we need dictatorship like Ayub Khan and Musharraf—the only two good governments Pakistan ever had.

Recommend 0

Karachite

Dec 06, 2014 08:58pm

Another fanning of the fire on PMLN the member who already disgruntled with the party wins. This is yet another proof of open rigging.

Recommend 0

junaid

Dec 06, 2014 09:07pm

@Shuaib Bhat what world are you living in. Time after time IMRAN KHAN had said he is on the recount in kpk. You need to get your facts straight

Recommend 0

Rakaposhi

Dec 06, 2014 09:17pm

A new permanent CEC has been in place, the department is finally answering to someone and showing progress before the new boss takes notice. I hope it continues but shame on PMLN for not appointing CEC for that long when the country is in electoral results crises.

Recommend 0

Abdul Rehman, U.S.A.

Dec 06, 2014 09:19pm

Now I understand why PPP was supporting Nawaz Shariff because of her own culprit activities in election riggings.

Recommend 0

ziavrep labqi

Dec 06, 2014 09:27pm

@Musarrat javed What punishment is prescribed by law for resorting to rigging in election? Who is the authority to mete out punishment?

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Dec 06, 2014 09:29pm

@Concerned But the winnr i PMN-N candidtae and not PTI candidate. :)

Recommend 0

TKhan

Dec 06, 2014 09:57pm

Interesting as he isn't in good terms with Nawaz Sharif & PML-N. PTI gain?

Recommend 0

Concerned citizen

Dec 06, 2014 10:04pm

No one speaks of pti rigging in na-250!

Recommend 0

sid

Dec 06, 2014 10:27pm

So then would you not agree, we urgently need a re-election? because according to you, every party did "some rigging"... Your statement demonstrates the lack of integrity with Pakistanis, because it basically suggests, so what if PLMN did election rigging, everyone did it. This is completely the wrong attitude. Anyone doing election rigging must be punished severely!!! PLMN PTI PPP etc etc

Recommend 0

Sayed Juman Shah

Dec 06, 2014 10:29pm

It's very critical circumstances for PPP in Sindh. But, they will not learn anything from this.

Recommend 0

Raees LaL

Dec 06, 2014 10:45pm

If there is ample proof of systematic rigging shouldn't there be prosecutions????

Recommend 0

syed wasim haider

Dec 06, 2014 10:46pm

IK's stance seems to be correct about the rigging gradually.

Recommend 0

Awais Ali

Dec 06, 2014 10:53pm

This is the justice of sharif family. where there is candidate of PML-N there is justice and others like PTI are struggling for justice EVEN AFTER 18 MONTHS.

Recommend 0

Sab

Dec 06, 2014 10:53pm

@Liaquat It is not the question of IK or NS. Just look at the staggering figures. According to 2013 polls in NA-215, Ghose lost by more than 25000 votes. Now 18 months on, the candidate who has lost by 25,000 votes has been declared winner. There is something very wrong with the 2013 polls.

Recommend 0

JUSTICE

Dec 06, 2014 11:12pm

Get rid of these corrupt, stupid & incompetent Election Commission Board's employees and hire new one.

Recommend 0

JUSTICE

Dec 06, 2014 11:16pm

If you want know who participate in Election rigging from election commission, check theirs and theirs family's Bank account balance & properties before & after the election of 2013.

Recommend 0

Tahir Amjad

Dec 06, 2014 11:17pm

@Shuaib Bhat .PTI ' s candidate from Hari Pur national assy seat RAJA AMIR ZAMAN was disqualified by the court due to massive irregularities committed and PML N's Omer Ayub khan declared winner after long legal battle. Ess hamam maen sabhi nangay haen.

Recommend 0

Ghani K

Dec 06, 2014 11:37pm

"senior PML-N leader moved the tribunal claiming that “unprecedented massive rigging had been committed in the last elections in the constituency”.- It is really interesting, when a senior PML (N) files complaint, votes are recounted immediately, when Imran K asks for recounting & verification of votes, he becomes a danger to democracy .

Recommend 0

JUSTICE

Dec 06, 2014 11:43pm

That is why Asif Zardari against verifying PML-N votes in Punjab, because PPP leaders rigged election in SIND. No wonder Zardari and PPP leader kept saying are trying to save "DEMOCRACY". Now we know what was motive behind this statement.

Recommend 0

Democalypse

Dec 06, 2014 11:50pm

Congrats to Ghous Ali Shah. It seems that whichever halqa is checked, evidence of foul play or erroneous results comes up. The facts speak for themselves ... 2013 election is not as clean and transparent as some would want us to believe! The question is - will anyone be held accountable for this?

Recommend 0

Adeel

Dec 07, 2014 12:01am

If PTI did rigging, why don't opponents take action ??

Recommend 0

Azam

Dec 07, 2014 12:07am

So PTI is right. These elections were rigged.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 07, 2014 12:13am

@Concerned citizen have it re- counted.

Recommend 0

Rajab Ali

Dec 07, 2014 12:17am

Same thing would happen if recounting conducted in NA-122 and dozens of other constituencies in all provinces. Difference would be that PMLN would loose most of the seats.

Recommend 0

Sunny

Dec 07, 2014 12:38am

@Shuaib Bhat Which candidate was disqualified in Peshawar? The fact is no pti candidate was disqualified, yes there are two cases in whole kpk but not on the charges of rigging. Come on and correct me if there was a single case against pti members regarding rigging. You seems totally biased.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 07, 2014 12:39am

@Lucky Star good, as long as the true winner wins, regardless.

Recommend 0

Concerned

Dec 07, 2014 12:39am

@Lucky Star I know that was stated in the headline. My point is that every party has complained about rigging against them by a dominant party in the province under question (here PPP against PML-N). So a wholesome investigation of the previous elections and holding responsible officials accountable, through a judicial commission, is a reasonable demand. Whether you belong to PTI or not is not relevant here.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 07, 2014 12:40am

@Liaquat then do re- election and prove all seats won by PML-N, why evade.

Recommend 0

ziavrep labqi

Dec 07, 2014 12:50am

Unless those found guilty of unfair practices in election are disqualified from future hustings, the urge to indulge in rigging can never be curbed, the stakes being so high. All bad eggs should be permanently discarded. Let the reported cas serve as a starter for the new CEC.

Recommend 0

Sultan Alvi (Canada)

Dec 07, 2014 01:04am

Another proof of rigging. No more comments needed. Imran Khan Zindabad.

Recommend 0

Sultan Alvi (Canada)

Dec 07, 2014 01:12am

@Sayed Juman Shah : PPP is dead as a Dodo bird, thanks to Asif Zardari. Long live Imran Khan and PTI.

Recommend 0

Dec 07, 2014 01:33am

Why recounting in a few constituencies, why not where IK has demanded recounting. He hasn't asked for much,he just wants a recount. For most of the recounting done by Election tribunal the results are different. Where ever PTI's seat were taken back if any, IK has accepted it with a big heart. He just asked for four constituencies to be recounted. I think it was not a big ask for the sitting government to do so if it was a fair and free elections according to the PPP and PML(N). This is where the ball rolling started from, and I personally think what is transpiring right now is not blame IK, but the opposition, the army, the parties of the mullahs, MQM, and last but not the least PML(N), and the director of the above movie is USA admit it, please do not live in denial.

Recommend 0

Azhar

Dec 07, 2014 02:05am

Now Pml,L has nothing to fear to reopen the disputed constituences to get the true picture. Also results are coming in their favor too, good signs.

Recommend 0

Al iGohar

Dec 07, 2014 03:46am

Shouldn't W

Recommend 0

Ali Gohar

Dec 07, 2014 03:48am

Shouldn't Wassan be put behind the bars now?

Recommend 0

Iqbal Khan

Dec 07, 2014 03:53am

When will we get rid these kind of status quo symbols, any end!

Recommend 0

Abdul

Dec 07, 2014 04:20am

Imran Khan's stance is making sure elections are fair. Besides PTI candidate didn't contest this seat or surely they would have won.

Recommend 0

ali

Dec 07, 2014 05:07am

IK was right all along about rigging

Recommend 0

chacha

Dec 07, 2014 05:45am

@Musarrat javed Do you believe judges are not corrupt and this is a clean decision .

Recommend 0

Ibram Ali

Dec 07, 2014 07:04am

Praise the system! 19 months the fake ones enjoy all previlages and protocols

Recommend 0

Rahber Rind

Dec 07, 2014 12:01pm

@Abbas khan Dedicated people - Feudal lord - left the party and gone to Umrah because could not fetch presidency - NS appointed more humble disciple . Pakistan does not produce any more humble and honest leaders - it was the end with Quid - e - Azam .

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.