Challenging results :Election tribunal orders partial re-polling in PK-81

Runner-up Habib Ali Shah earlier filed a petition providing proof of mass rigging.

PESHAWAR: Re-polling has been ordered in four polling stations for women in PK-81 Swat-II after the election tribunal received an application providing proof of mass rigging on Election Day.

In May, the seat was won by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Azizullah. However, runner-up candidate Habib Ali Shah, who belongs to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, filed a petition with the tribunal, claiming rigging took place in four polling stations of the constituency.



After checking all the evidence the petitioner provided along with his application, election tribunal judge Ziauddin Khattak on Friday ordered a re-election in four stations and recommended the Election Commission of Pakistan to terminate MPA Azizullah’s assembly membership.

However, the MPA will hold his post till the official termination notification is issued.

The tribunal has ordered re-polling in Ghat, Panjigram, Tundudag and Manyar polling stations of PK-81, but a date is yet to be set.

PK-81 was won by Azizullah with 13, 045 votes, while runner up Shah secured 11, 635 votes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2013.