ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed a stay request against the vote recount in NA-251, stating that no injunction can be granted without written evidence.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja remarked that a verbal order cannot be used as a basis for a stay.
A four-member ECP bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard the case related to NA-251. JUI-F candidate Syed Samiullah appealed to halt the recount process.
His lawyer argued that rival candidate Khushhal Kakar had withdrawn his request for a recount, yet the election tribunal ordered it on its own.
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The CEC questioned whether a written directive for the recount existed, to which the lawyer replied it was an oral instruction. The Commission ruled that without documented proof, a stay order cannot be issued and rejected the plea.
Member Ikramullah from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa added that if the tribunal has the authority, it may exercise it. The ECP granted the JUI-F candidate one day to submit the necessary documents and adjourned the hearing until June 5.
