QUETTA: The provincial government has suspended mobile and internet services in Balochistan capital Quetta after Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) announced a strike against “rigging” of the re-poll in PB- constituency. 45 of Balochistan Assembly. Quetta VIII.
“The protest will continue until we get our rights,” the JUI-F provincial emir said, announcing a strike starting today.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Ali Madad Khattak claimed victory in a re-poll in constituency PB-45 after securing 6,883 votes, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results.
Meanwhile, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai secured second place with 4,122 votes. JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani came in third place after securing 3,731 votes.
It is worth mentioning that earlier, Haji Ali Madad Jattak of Pakistan People’s Party had won this seat.
Earlier in January, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal challenging the election tribunal’s decision to conduct a recount of votes at 15 polling stations in Quetta’s Balochistan Assembly constituency PB-45.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Aqeel Abbasi, delivered the judgment in the appeal filed by Mir Ali Madad Jatak, the re-elected candidate of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). of the PB-45.
The court upheld the election tribunal’s decision, affirming the need for a recount at the specified polling stations. On November 20, 2024, the court reserved its verdict while rejecting Jatak’s appeal.
In the 25-page judgment written by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, the court observed that under the Election Act, election tribunals possess the authority of a civil court. The court may exercise its powers to record statements under the law of evidence when deciding election disputes.
The judgment revealed that through Form 45, an increase of 4,912 votes was achieved in favor of the petitioner, while the vote tally for his opponent, Mir Muhammad Usman, remained unchanged at 1,623.
“According to the electoral tribunal’s record, fraud was committed regarding Form 45 in 15 polling stations in the constituency,” the judgment said.
The court upheld the election tribunal’s decision and dismissed the appeal filed by Mir Ali Madad Jatak.