May 5, 2021 ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday accepted PMLN candidate Miftah Ismail's application ordering recount in NA-249 Karachi on May 6. The Commission had on Saturday issued a stay order, withholding the results of NA-249, Karachi by-elections. The stay order was issued on the application of PMLN candidate Miftah Ismail, seeking recount. The Commission directed the contestants to reach the office of returning officer (RO) at 9am on May 6 for the recount. Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, a four-member bench conducted the hearing. Miftah's counsel argued that the signatures of presiding officers (POs) of 167 polling stations were missing on Form-45, while the party's polling agents were also not given Form-46. He argued that Form-46 was just as important as Form-45 according to Justice Nasirul Mulk Commission report. He said the presiding officers were bound to provide Form-45 and Form-46 to the polling agents, whereas signatures were absent on Form-45 given by the presiding officers. The lawyer also called on the ECP to investigate irregularities in the by-poll.