ECP takes notice of ballot papers found in Karachi garbage dump

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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday took notice of a complaint regarding stamped ballot papers found in a garbage dump in Karachi. 

Stamped ballot papers were recovered Sunday night from a garbage heap in the metropolis’ Qayyumabad area.

The ballot papers mentioned candidates who contested the polls from the NA-241 and PS-160 constituencies. Further, voter cards were also found alongside the ballot papers.

The stamped ballot papers and voter cards were first found by the area’s residents in a garbage heap, which had been set on fire. Shortly afterwards, local representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) arrived at the scene and took away the ballot papers, mostly bearing stamps on their symbols as well as that of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Taking notice of media reports, the electoral body ordered the provincial election commissioner, district returning officer, and returning officer to submit a detailed report on the matter.

ECP Spokesperson Altaf Khan said strict measures will be taken against those found responsible for the incident.