Votes recounting in NA-79, PML-N candidate wins

Gujranwala: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Zulfikar Bhandar was successful in the re-counting of votes in National Assembly Constituency NA-79 Gujranwala.

According to Returning Officer Shabbir Hussain Butt, Zulfikar Bhandar secured 95,604 votes while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Ehsan Virk secured 92,581 votes.

Zulfiqar Bhandar's victory was celebrated by the Muslim League-N workers and fireworks were also set off.

It is pertinent to note that in the general elections PTI-backed Ehsan Virk was successful with 140,230 votes while PML-N's Zulfiqar Bhandar got 99,635 votes.

Following the orders of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered a recount in NA-79, which took place at the Quaid-e-Azam Divisional Public School (DPS). The supporters of both the candidates were present outside the DPS and tight security arrangements were also made on the occasion.

In the general election, there was a margin of 4,388 votes between the victory of independent candidate Ehsan Virk and second runner-up Zulfiqar Bhandar from NA-79. Zulfiqar Bhandar requested a recount which was granted.