SAHIWAL, Feb 20: Three losing candidates of PP-222 (Sahiwal-III) have joined hands against the PML-Q’s winner from the constituency, demanding that the chief election commissioner should declare the results null and void.

They have also sought recount of the votes, sealing of the entire election record of 36 polling stations and an inquiry into ‘irregularities’.

Information gleaned by Dawn revealed that Syed Amjad Bokhari of the PPP, Muhammad Arshad Malik (PML-N) and Syed Shabeer Mustafa Sherazi (independent), along with their supporters, had voiced concern over what they said rigging by the winning candidate, Malik Jalaldin Dhakoo of the PML-Q.

At a joint press conference, the losing candidates vowed to stand by Amjad Bokhari’s claim of rigging in PP-222.

Under the Representation of People’s Act of 1976, a presiding officer at any polling station is bound to provide election results on a prescribed pro forma # XIV called “The statement of the Count” with the signatures of at least two polling agents. But in this constituency many results have been provided on a simple white paper.

“There are 169 polling stations in our constituency and we have reports that the record of 36 stations at Chaks 100/9-L, 101/9-L, 102/9-L, 112/9-L, 115/9-L, 117/9-L, 135 A/9-L, 60/GD, 61/GD, 54/GD, Jerma and Nama Seyal have been fabricated,” they said.

Malik Arshad of the PML-N said he bagged 16,518 votes from PP-222 and stood fourth. Syed Mustafa Sherazi alleged that three sons of Jalaldin Dhakoo holding public offices at different places had run their father’s campaign in the constituency in the last two months.

“If our demands are not met, we will jointly bring our party supporters to roads tomorrow and stage a sit-in in front of the district returning officer office”.

Hundreds of voters of the dissident candidates also staged protest against the returning officer for “changing results in favour of the Dhakoo.”

Strengthened by the voters, the losing candidates demonstrated at the District Courts Chowk and took out a protest procession. They vowed to block GT Road on Thursday and besiege the district courts.—Shafiq Butt