DADU, Feb 17: The Rangers arrested a man and claimed finding hundreds of blank ballot papers in his possession on the Dadu-Khairpur Nathan Shah Road during a search on Sunday. The accused was identified as Mumtaz Chandio affiliated with the PML-Q.

However, assistant election commissioner, Dadu, Syed Tanvir Haider Shah told Dawn that he had inspected the seized material, and said that these were pamphlets meant to guide people about casting votes. He had sent his report to the election office. Rangers personnel led by inspector Zahoor Ahmed searched Chandio’s vehicle and later his residence in Khairpur Nathan Shah and seized over 500 blank ballot papers. Rangers handed over the accused to police.

The Election Commission took notice of the incident and directed DRO Dadu Nadeem Ahmed Akhund and Mr Haider Shah to investigate the matter.

Khairpur Nathan Shah police produced the material seized from Chandio in the office of RO Mehar.

DPO Dadu Ayaz Alam Pathan confirmed the presence of the accused at the police station but denied that the seized papers were ballot papers. Law-enforcement agencies are reported to be interrogating the accused.