ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has restored the victory notification of a PTI-backed independent candidate as member of the National Assembly from NA-154 (Lodhran).

Complying with the Lahore High Court order, the ECP has withdrawn the victory notification of former minister of state for interior Abdul Rehman Kanju issued following a controversial recount.

Mr Kanju was defeated by Rana Faraz Noon from NA-154, with a margin of 6,499 votes.

In the recount, he was declared winner with a lead of 7,301 votes. According to Form-47, Mr Noon had secured 134,937 votes, which dramatically dropped to 120,683 in the recount.

Mr Kanju had obtained 128,438 votes, which were also slightly reduced to 127,984.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024