KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday declined to accept re-polling at 43 polling stations in Karachi’s NA-250 constituency and demanded that re-polling be held in the entire constituency.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier in the day announced that re-polling at 43 polling stations in Karachi’s NA-250 constituency would be held on May 19.
The polling at 43 polling stations of NA-250, PS-112 and PS-113 constituencies in Karachi was postponed by the ECP on May 11 due to reports of alleged rigging and absence of electoral staff.
MQM leader Mustafa Kamal in a televised press conference on Tuesday rejected the ECP’s decision, blaming the commission of failing to ensure timely polling.
Kamal said the commission was covering up its own failures by announcing re-polling at 43 polling stations of the constituency on May 19. He also said the party would protest against the ECP’s decision.
The MQM leader said an investigation should be launched as to why polling could not be started at these polling stations and was delayed for hours.
He also questioned why ballot boxes could not reach these stations despite the fact that polling was supervised by the ECP with the Army’s help.
The media’s attention was focused on NA-250 where PTI activists openly hurled abuses at MQM, which went unchecked by the election authorities, he alleged.
The MQM also announced to legally challenge the commission’s decision in the court.
