MQM decides to boycott NA-250 re-polls

Raza Haroon says the ECP's decision to hold re-elections on selective polling stations is illegal, unconstitutional.

KARACHI: After the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) maintained its decision to hold re-elections in selected polling stations of NA-250 on Friday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said it will boycott the re-polling.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, MQM leader Raza Haroon said that after the ECP rejected the MQM's request to hold re-elections in the entire NA-250 constituency instead of selected polling stations, the party was within its rights to boycott the elections.

"MQM reject's ECP's decision to conduct re-polls in only 43 polling stations."

Haroon said that the party will be raising the matter in every competent forum. "After today's meeting, when ECP rejected our request, we reject their decision."

Earlier, MQM leader Wasay Jalil told the media at a press conference on Friday evening that the party leadership in London and Karachi was currently consulting legal and constitutional experts on the matter.

"The first session of consultations has ended and once we come to decision we will announce that."

Jalil said that a decision is expected later on Friday.

Raza Haroon added that the matter was about the public's right to vote and re-enforcing the faith in voting. "The ECP should have looked at the larger interest of   the people."

"This  was a golden opportunity for the ECP to demonstrate to the people that while they could not conduct flawless elections everywhere, they could have conducted exemplary elections in NA-250."

Of their consultations, Haroon said that they are currently looking at all options.

Earlier on Friday, the ECP had rejected the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) request to conduct re-polling in the entire constituency of NA-250 Karachi.