PS-114 by-polls: ECP adjourns hearing over recounting of votes till July 19

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan adjourned on Monday the hearing over recounting of votes in PS-114 by-elections as the petitioner’s lawyer could not attend the proceeding.

According to the petitioner, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s Kamran Tessori, his lawyer has suddenly fallen ill, which is why he could not attend the hearing. Tessori requested the court to adjourned the hearing for two days. Therefore, the hearing will now be held on July 19.

PS-114 by-election: Saeed Ghani denies rigging allegations

MQM-P has challenged Ghani's victory in ECP saying polls were tampered

However, the chief election commissioner said if the lawyer does not appear in the next hearing, a verdict would be announced.

MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar and leaders of different political parties were present on the occasion.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Aitzaz Ahsan called the case baseless.

The by-election on Sindh Assembly’s seat of PS-114 was held on July 9. PPP’s Saeed Ghani, MQM’s Tessori, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Najeeb Haroon, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Ali Akbar Gujjar and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Jadoon contested the polls.

PPP wins PS-114 Karachi by-polls

PPP's Saeed Ghani bagged 23,840 votes, followed by MQM-P's Kamran Tessori with 18,106 votes

However, after PPP’s Ghani emerged victories, questions were raised on the transparency of the election process.

Tessori, who stood second, requested the ECP to order a recount in the entire constituency and National Database and Registration Authority to verify thumb impressions of all the voters.