BAJAUR: The workers of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) here on Monday staged a protest sit-in against delay in announcement of poll results for the slot of Nawagai tehsil chairman and termed the act an attempt of rigging by the relevant officials.

Scores of party workers led by PTI candidate for Nawagai sub-division teshil chairman slot Dr Khalilur Rahman participated in the sit-in held place outside the office of deputy commissioner in Khar.

The protesters, who chanted slogans against the relevant officials and in support of PTI nominee, also held a demonstration outside the office of Nawagai assistant commissioner before staging the sit-in.

They expressed concerns over delay in announcing unofficial results of the Sunday’s elections for Nawagai chairman slot.

The protesters described the y delay in declaring the election results unjustified and an attempt of rigging by the relevant officials.

Dr Khalilur Rahman, PTI candidate for slot of Khar tehsil chairman Luqman Khan, Najeeb Khan, Umar Said and others addressed the protesters.

They said that results of six polling stations including Kitoot, Shahi Tangi, Tarkhoo, Landi and Bara Chinagi were yet to be received by the relevant returning officer. They claimed that Dr Khalilur Rahman was leading in the elections against his rivals.

The speakers alleged that not only results of the six polling stations were delayed but the presiding officers were also missing. They said that unnecessary delay in announcement of poll result disappointed the PTI workers and voters.

The speakers asked the chief election commissioner, provincial election commissioner and chief minister to take notice of the issue.

The participants of the sit-in pledged to continue their protest till announcement of the unofficial results of all the polling stations.

According to unofficial results of the 169 polling stations of the total 174 in Nawagai tehsil, the JUI-F backed independent candidate Najeeb Ullah Khan, who is the elder son of former governor Engineer Shaukat Ullah Khan, got 20,203 votes while PTI candidate Dr Khalilur Rahman obtained 19,900 votes.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2021