TOBA TEK SINGH, Feb 21: PPP candidate for NA-94 Haider Khan Kharal and PML-Q defeated candidate from PP-88 Begum Ashfa Riaz Fatyana on Thursday filed applications with Kamalia returning officer Mian Mureed Husain for a vote recount.

Haider Kharal is the son of PPP leader Khalid Ahmad Kharal and Begum Ashfa is the wife of PML-Q MNA-elect Riaz Fatyana.

Haider Kharal in his application said that the returning officer announced the results after too much delay on Feb 19 at 9am while the presiding officers kept ballot papers in their custody all the night which gave rise to suspicions.

Similar charges were levelled by Begum Ashfa. Both have sought recount of ballot papers of all the polling stations of their constituencies.

Meanwhile, a source said returning officers had no vote recount power and both candidates would be asked to file their appeals with election tribunal.