LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging the election commission’s decision for a vote recount in the NA-79 (Gujranwala) constituency.

Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal announced the verdict on the maintainability of the petition filed by PTI-backed independent candidate Ehsanullah Virk, who returned from the National Assembly constituency in Feb 8 polls.

PML-N candidate Zulfiqar Ali Bhinder, who was runner-up in the contest, had requested the ECP for a recount.

Virk’s counsel argued that his client got elected with over 104,023 votes, but the ECP, exceeding its authority, ordered a recount.

He contended that after the formation of the election tribunal, the ECP cannot order a vote recount, as this decision violates the Election Act 2017.

He asked the court to set aside the decision of the commission for being unlawful.

A lawyer for the PML-N’s candidate objected to the maintainability of the petition, asking the court to dismiss it. Mr Bhinder had obtained 99,635 votes.

A three-member ECP bench, headed by the chief election commissioner, ordered the recount while accepting the request of the PML-N candidate.

The recounting decision came after the Supreme Court declared that the ECP had the authority to order a recount.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024