ECP suspends Balochistan speaker’s victory notification

QUETTA:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the notification of success of Speaker Balochistan Assembly Abdul Khaliq Khan Achakzai from PB-51, Chaman, and ordered repolling.

The decision comes amid allegations of irregularities and rigging during the electoral process.

The polling is slated to take place again at 12 designated polling stations of PB-51 Chaman on April 21, scheduled to commence at 8 am and conclude at 5 pm.

The outcome of the repoll will subsequently determine the official notification for PB-51.

Abdul Khaliq Khan Achakzai had emerged victorious from the constituency with 20,390 votes, securing victory over his opponent Asghar Achakzai of the ANP, who bagged 19,623 votes.

The move follows complaints lodged by unsuccessful candidates from PB-51, alleging electoral malpractices. Consequently, the electoral body ordered a thorough investigation and ultimately decided to conduct a repoll at the specified polling stations on March 6.