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ECP to Hear PB-21 Recount Case as 10,000 Votes Surge Sparks Controversy
A dramatic recount in PB-21 (Hub) flipped results, added 10,507 polled votes and 13,507 rejected votes — triggering arrests, court battles, and suspension of the winner’s notification. The ECP takes up the high-stakes case today.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-23
ECP to Hear PB-21 Recount Case as 10,000 Votes Surge Sparks Controversy

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to hear a high-profile and unusual recount case on Tuesday (February 23) concerning the PB-21 (Hub) constituency of the Balochistan Assembly, where dramatic changes in vote counts have raised serious legal and political questions.

The controversy stems from a recount conducted at 39 polling stations nearly two months after Pakistan’s February 8, 2024 general elections. The recount overturned the original outcome and declared Ali Hassan Zehri of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as the winner — despite the fact that he was not even the runner-up in the original count.

Initially, Muhammad Saleh Bhootani of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) had secured a commanding lead, obtaining more than double the votes polled by Zehri. However, following the recount, Bhootani was pushed to third place.

Dramatic Numerical Shift

The recount revealed striking numerical discrepancies:

  • Polled votes increased from 76,976 to 87,483 — a jump of 10,507 votes.
  • Rejected votes surged from 3,648 to 17,155 — an increase of 13,507.
  • Bhootani’s votes dropped from 30,910 to 17,403 — a reduction of 13,507, exactly matching the rise in rejected votes.

Zehri’s tally rose significantly, gaining 9,854 additional votes, bringing his total from 14,120 to 23,974. Rajab Ali, the initial runner-up, retained his position with an additional 441 votes, while 212 votes were distributed among other candidates — excluding Bhootani.

The percentage of polled votes also changed from 55.15% to 58.48%, further intensifying scrutiny over the process.

Arrests and Allegations

The recount process was marred by serious allegations of tampering. On February 11, 2024 — hours after the ECP ordered the recount — five individuals were arrested inside a strong room where electoral records were stored. Authorities reportedly recovered three plastic bags containing alleged fake ballot papers.

The incident added fuel to suspicions surrounding the integrity of the recount.

Legal Battle Reaches Higher Courts

The case has seen multiple rounds of litigation. On November 20, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pakistan annulled all prior proceedings and directed the ECP to decide the matter afresh.

Despite this directive, the ECP, in a split 3-2 decision on December 16, 2024, upheld the recount and notified Zehri as the returned candidate on December 19. This prompted Bhootani to challenge the decision before the Balochistan High Court and subsequently the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).

Earlier this month, the Federal Constitutional Court suspended Zehri’s notification and instructed the ECP to re-examine pending recount requests.

In its ruling, the FCC underscored the sanctity of the ballot, observing that recount powers must be exercised sparingly and only when supported by material evidence of illegality or irregularity. The court emphasized that elections should not be invalidated on vague or unsupported allegations.

Political Fallout

The controversy has also had political repercussions. Last week, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail removed Zehri from the provincial cabinet led by Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. Zehri had earlier submitted his resignation.

With the ECP now set to revisit the matter, the case is expected to test institutional credibility and the legal boundaries governing recount procedures. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for electoral transparency and political stability in Balochistan.
Tagged:

Balochistan

ECP

ElectionRecount

ElectionCommissionPakistan

PB21
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