PESHAWAR, Oct 16: The Returning Officer of PF-3 (Peshawar- III) constituency has declared Awami National Party candidate Bashir Ahmad Bilour successful after re-counting of votes here on Wednesday.

The returning officer, Shehbar Khan, who is an additional district and sessions judge, conducted the re-counting on an application filed by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal candidate Maulana Abdul Rauf Jan. Mr Bilour defeated Mr Jan with a margin of 137 votes. Previously, he was declared successful with a margin of 113 votes.

The members of both the groups remained present in the premises of the court from morning till night and the result was announced by the returning officer. Soon after the result announcement, the activists of ANP took out a procession, raising slogans in favour fo their candidate.

With the inclusion of the seat of Mr Bilour, the ANP has bagged eight seats in the NWFP Assembly while the MMA has secured 48 seats.