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ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 (APP):The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan (FCCP) has adjourned the hearing of an election challenge related to Balochistan Provincial Assembly constituency PB-21 until Thursday, January 29.
The case was heard on Wednesday by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan, and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah.
During the proceedings, Khawaja Harris, counsel for Saleh Bhootani, argued that Form 47 is still available on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s website, according to which Saleh Bhootani secured 30,910 votes and stood first, while Ali Hassan Zehri obtained 17,000 votes.
Khawaja Haris contended that following a recount requested by Ali Hassan Zehri, 13,507 votes cast in favor of Saleh Bhootani were declared invalid, even though the recount request was based only on suspicions. He further stated that law and order deteriorated after polling ended on election day, leading to clashes and road blockages. FIRs were registered over these incidents, but charge sheets have not yet been submitted. He also noted that the Returning Officer had formally informed the Election Commission about the situation.
Chief Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan inquired about the legal procedure for recounting under the Election Act if the allegations are proven. In response, Khawaja Haris said a recount is permissible and claimed that the recount resulted in an additional 10,577 votes, with total votes rising from 76,000 in the initial count to 87,000 after the recount.
After the completion of arguments by Saleh Bhootani’s counsel, Ali Hassan Zehri’s lawyer, Farooq H. Naek, began his submissions, stating that the case concerns 39 polling stations. He said that the Election Commission had initially ordered re-polling on the recount request, which was challenged by both parties before the Supreme Court.
According to Farooq H. Naek, the Supreme Court subsequently ordered a recount at the request of both parties. He will continue his remaining arguments at the next hearing.
The court later adjourned the case until Thursday, January 29.