MANSEHRA: The Election Commission of Pakistan has suspended action on Form 47 issued by the returning officer of Mansehra’s NA-15 constituency about unofficial election results, said Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl candidate Mufti Kifayatullah on Tuesday.

Form 47 declared the victory of PTI-backed candidate Shahzada Gustasap Khan in Thursday’s general elections.

“We’re called by NA-15 returning officer Hajrah Samee for the reconsolidation of poll results and issuance of Form 48 but learned that the ECP has suspended action on Form 47 until further orders,” Mr Kifayatullah told reporters.

He said Form48 (details of votes polled) and Form 49 (final poll results) would be released after the issuance of Form 47.

PML-N supremo and NA-15 candidate Nawaz Sharif had challenged the victory of Mr Gustasap in an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

When contacted, Mr Gustasap said the vote reconsolidation process that would lead to the issuance of For m 48 and Form 47 could be completed before the oath-taking ceremony for MNAs-elect.

Dawn visited the office of RO Samee to have her comments on the matter but she was away.

Meanwhile, the police booked family members and friends of NA-15 assistant returning officer Mohammad Ishtiaq for taking him away from the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital against the advice of doctors.

The action came on the complaint of deputy commissioner and district returning officer Bilal Shahid Rao under sections 353, 186 and 342 of PPC.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2024