Serious violence erupted during a vote recount at four polling stations in National Assembly constituency NA-231, leading to significant chaos and destruction.
Angry mobs vandalized the Election Commission office, and masked individuals set fire to ballot bags before fleeing the scene. The situation escalated when supporters of two rival political parties clashed during the recount, resulting in intense shouting and confrontations that quickly turned violent. The disturbance prompted authorities to deploy police and rangers to the area in an effort to restore order.
Witnesses described the mayhem that unfolded as masked individuals stormed the Regional Election Commission office, causing extensive damage and igniting ballot bags.
One witness, Zubair, a clerk at the Election Commission, recounted the terrifying experience of being present when the attackers broke in. He reported that furniture was overturned and significant damage was inflicted on the office. Zubair also noted that he sustained injuries during the incident.
The violence stemmed from a plea filed by an independent candidate, Khalid Mehmood Ali, who is backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He contested the victory of Abdul Hakim Baloch from the Pakistan People’s Party in the constituency, which further fueled tensions among supporters of the rival parties.
This incident highlights the intense political rivalry in the region and raises concerns about the safety and integrity of the electoral process.
As investigations begin, the situation underscores the urgent need for measures to ensure security during recounts and other electoral procedures to prevent such outbreaks of violence in the future.
