At least two people died and thirteen were wounded in a gunfight between supporters of two political factions during a vote recount in southwestern Pakistan, following a report of irregularities in the initial tally, according to police statements released on Thursday.
“Two supporters were killed and another thirteen injured in an armed clash on Wednesday in the city of Hub,” police captain Iqbal Farid, who oversees the city’s policing, told EFE. Hub is located in the volatile province of Baluchistan, a region often rocked by political contention.
According to the officer, the tally took place after the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate Ali Zehri challenged the victory of Muhammad Saleh Bhutani, the candidate from the Baluchistan National Party (BAP), in the provincial assembly elections.
The official described the confrontation as lasting two hours, pitting followers from both factions against one another as shooting erupted. Police subsequently arrested three individuals and recovered Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons. Frontier Corps personnel were deployed to the area to prevent a broader escalation and to maintain law and order.
Baluchistan has seen protests by political parties alleging electoral fraud during last week’s elections, when Pakistanis went to the polls to choose representatives for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. After results were released, major highways and roads across Baluchistan were blocked, and a province-wide strike was observed on Tuesday, including in the capital Quetta.
In addition to regional parties in Baluchistan, national parties such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (F) (JUI-F), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), voiced serious concerns about alleged fraud across the country.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has ordered a recount in several electoral districts and a repeat vote on Thursday for certain National Assembly seats or provincial assembly seats where needed.