The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the consolidation of the result for Islamabad’s NA-48 constituency. The electoral watchdog has directed the returning officer to submit a comprehensive report on a petition filed by PTI-backed candidate Syed Muhammad Ali Bokhari.

In his petition to the ECP, Bokhari said he obtained 59,851 votes while his opponent, Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz, garnered 69,699 votes.

However, Bokhari said that the Form 45 issued by presiding officers, he secured 74,425 votes from 257 polling stations while Nawaz obtained 30,345 votes. He urged the ECP to order a recount in the constituency.

“The process of consolidation shall remain suspended till the outcome of the case, if not already concluded,” the ECP said in its order.