LHC rejects Usman Dar's vote recount petition in NA-73

LAHORE (92 News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar’s petition seeking vote recount in NA-73. During the hearing, the LHC has allowed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to formally notify the victory of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Khawaja Muhammad Asif on National Assembly's constituency NA-73, Sialkot. The LHC rejected the plea of PTI candidate Usman Dar who had prayed for the recounting of votes on the National Assembly seat. Earlier, LHC had restrained the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from issuing the victory notification of former foreign minister Khawaja Asif in NA-73 Sialkot constituency. Dar, in his petition submitted through Advocate Anees Hashmi and Advocate Tajamul Gondal, had challenged the victory of Asif pleading that the returning officer did not provide Form-45 to the polling agents. The PTI leader maintained that as many as 7,346 votes were dismissed in his constituency and he lost to the PML-N leader by a margin of 1,406 votes. It is to be mentioned here that on July 25, Khawaja Asif obtained 116957 votes against PTI’s Usman Dar who secured 115464 votes in the constituency.