The returning officer in NA-75 by-election Daska on Saturday withheld the result on the request of PML-N candidate Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, reported 24NewsHDTV channel.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has also demanded a recount in 23 polling stations. 

PML-N senior leader Ahsan Iqbal opined that repolling should also be held in areas where firing incidents had taken place as the result of the NA-75 by-election has become suspicious.

On the other hand, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Firdous Ashiq Awan has declared PTI’s victory in NA-75 by-election.

She said PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Javed Latif and Ataullah Tarrar had made returning officer hostage but the Election Commission should announce the result.

After halting the by-election result by the returning officer, now the final outcome will be announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

According to the unofficial results of 337 polling stations, PML-N candidate Nosheen Iftikhar (97,588 votes) was leading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Ali Asjad Malhi (94,541 votes). However, results of 23 polling stations were delayed.

It may be mentioned here that the seat of NA-75 Tehsil Daska, District Sialkot, was vacated after the death of PML-N MNA Syed Iftikhar-ud-Din in August 2020. PML-N gave ticket to his daughter, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, in the by-election. 

On the other hand, PML-N has bagged PK-63 Nowshera and PP-51 Wazirabad seats while ruling PTI has won NA-45 Kurram as per the unofficial results of the by-elections which were held on Friday.

Read More: Supreme Court upholds ECP order for re-election in NA-75 Daska

ECP notice

The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday took notice of the firing incidents in Daska during the NA-75 by-poll polling. The ECP sought a detailed report from the IG Punjab and ordered him to take action against the responsible people. The ECP also summoned an important meeting on February 23 over the incident. 

The by-election for NA-75 in Daska turned deadly as two people got killed and scores got injured during the firing and clashes between the rival parties. This also led to the suspension of the polling process at some polling stations as Rangers were deployed to control the situation.

The voting, which started peacefully, was later marred by complaints of rigging attempts and irregularities creating hindrance in the way of polling. The PML-N leaders have accused the government and the local authorities of attempts to slow down the polling process. 

PP-51 Wazirabad

According to unofficial results of all 162 polling stations, PML-N candidate Begum Talat Mahmood secured 53,903 votes to win the PP-51 Wazirabad by-election while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Muhammad Yousuf remained second by bagging 48,484 votes.

PK-63 Nowshera

PML-N’s Ikhtiar Wali has won the by-election in PK-63 Nowshera with 21,122 votes while PTI’s Mian Umar was able to secure only 17,023 votes.

Read More: Daska police arrest PML-N, PTI workers, seize weapons