Election Commission of Pakistan - NA 231 Recounting
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In a shocking incident at NA-231 Karachi, chaos erupted during the vote recount at four polling stations, with masked individuals storming the Regional Election Commissioner’s office. They vandalized the premises and set a sack of ballot papers on fire.
The recount, mandated by the Sindh High Court’s Election Tribunal, was to be conducted under the supervision of Regional Election Commissioner Imtiaz Kalhoro for polling stations PS 65, 71, 98, and 175. Among those present were the 2024 general election winner Abdul Hakeem Baloch of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), independent candidate Khalid Mahmood, backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and other contestants.
Just minutes before the recount was set to begin, masked assailants launched an attack, damaging office property and torching a sack filled with ballot papers and election materials. They also threw glass bottles at individuals present. Despite the presence of law enforcement, the attackers managed to escape, leaving the Regional Election Commission’s office assistant, Zubair, injured.
Leaders and candidates from PTI and PPP exchanged accusations, blaming each other for the unrest.
Following the attack, SSP South Sajid Sadozai visited the scene. Both PTI and PPP have since filed police reports, holding each other responsible for the incident.
In response, the Sindh Election Commission has halted the vote recount for a week. Abdul Hakeem Baloch won the NA-231 seat with a lead of 389 votes over PTI-backed independent candidate Khalid Mahmood.
Before the recount commenced, Abdul Hakeem Baloch and the police exchanged heated words, as Baloch’s lawyer was denied entry to the Regional Election Commissioner’s office.
