Islamabad: In the PB-21 Balochistan constituency recount case, the Islamabad High Court has suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order for a recount.
The court issued a stay order on the petition filed by candidate Muhammad Saleh Bhootani. Notices have been issued to all parties, with replies demanded within two weeks.
The Islamabad High Court has scheduled the next hearing of the case after Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to the court order, the petitioner sought to declare the ECP’s order dated 25 February 2026 as illegal and requested that the election results be maintained in accordance with Form 47.
The petitioner also asked for directions to the Returning Officer to prepare Forms 48 and 49 based on Form 47.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the ECP’s order is a clear violation of Section 95(6) of the Elections Act 2017.
According to the petitioner, the recount order was issued merely on assumptions without any solid evidence. The counsel further stated that the ECP ordered the recount without issuing notices to the parties involved.
The lawyer contended that the ECP’s decision violates Article 10-A of the Constitution as well as precedents set by the Supreme Court.
It is pertinent to mention that the ECP had issued a notification for recount on 25 February.
Separately, the Election Commission of Pakistan has restored the victory notification of Ali Hassan Zehri. The ECP declared Ali Hassan Zehri successful in PB-21 Hub and reinstated the notification dated 19 December 2024.
The matter of recount between Ali Hassan Zehri and Muhammad Saleh Bhootani had been pending. After the recount of 39 polling stations, Ali Hassan Zehri was declared the winner.
