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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday upheld the decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold re-polling in the entire NA-75 constituency in Daska.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Umer Ata Bandial, heard the petition by PTI candidate Ali Asjad Malhi who had challenged the ECP order of February 25, 2021, declaring the by-election void and ordering re-polling in the whole constituency.
The verdict was reserved by the bench after the arguments were concluded by all the parties. The Supreme Court in its short order verdict ordered the ECP to hold re-polling in NA-75 Daska on April 10.
On Feb 25, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had ordered re-election in the NA-75 Daska constituency over alleged rigging and other irregularities. The PTI had challenged the ECP’s decision to order re-polling in the entire constituency rather than and select polling stations.
On February 25, the ECP had also ordered the suspension of the relevant deputy commissioner, the district police officer (DPO), assistant commissioner and SPDO Daska over rigging during the by-poll in the NA-75 constituency.
The Returning Officer (RO) of the constituency had submitted a detailed report and stated that the presiding officers of 23 polling stations were found involved in rigging.
PML-N candidate Syeda Nausheen Iftikhar had raised reservations over the results by stating the difference between the Form 45 copy available with her and with Presiding Officer was different
According to POs, PML-N candidates secured 3500 votes from the 23 polling stations, while Nausheen claimed to get 5000 votes, Returning Officer said in his statement.
The returning officer said the results appeared altered suggested re-polling on the 23 polling stations. The ECP had seized the electoral record of by-polls in NA-75 Daska after incident of irregularities and violence.
