MANSEHRA, Oct 13: Two returning officers, on Saturday,  suspended the processing of the election results of NA-20, Mansehra-I, and PF-55, Mansehra-III, on the directives of the Election Commission.

The workers of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ended the siege of the courtroom of the returning officer for NA-20, Mohammad Yaqoob Khan  Khattak, additional district and sessions judge-III, following the   orders by the Election Commission.

Hundreds of MMA workers, carrying sticks, clubs and iron  bars, had surrounded the courtroom on Saturday.

They alleged that the results of NA-20 and PF-55 were rigged overnight.  

They were demanding a recount of the ballots of the two constituencies.

Despite requests from the local leaders, the  workers had refused to end the siege until the MMA candidates, Maulana Syed Ghulam Nabbi Shah and Mufti Kifayatullah, were declared successful from NA-20 and PF-55, respectively.

The MMA workers were, however, stopped by the police from reaching the courtroom of the returning officer for PF-55, in the sessions courts.

The law enforcement agencies were put on high-alert and army troops were called to meet any untoward situation.

Assistant presiding officers of NA-20 and PF-56, Mansehra-IV, have been arrested on rigging charges.   

The APOs, Viqar Musa and Mohammad Bashir, allegedly stole 65 blank ballot papers, each, from the polling station  at the Sacha Khan basic health unit and were trying to cast them for their favourite candidates.

A case has been registered against them on the report of the presiding officer.

RE-ELECTION DEMANDED: The MMA Mansehra has come up with a fresh demand for re-election on NA-20, Mansehra-I, PF-55, Mansehra-III, and PF- 58, Mansehra-VI as their protest campaign against the alleged rigging in the polling process has entered third day today (Sunday).