KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday observed ‘gratitude day’ for winning the elections at its traditional constituencies whereas election authorities ordered re-polling at 43 polling stations the national assembly seat No 250 in this port city.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed to the people to observe ‘a day of thanks’, MQM statement said, to celebrate the historical victory of the party candidates in the general elections.

Hussain said that MQM was not allowed to freely participate in the elections by use of force and hundreds of MQM workers were martyred and injured in the serial bomb blasts before elections.

He further said that an atmosphere of fear, terror and harassment was created to block the election campaign of MQM.

“Despite these hindrances and conspiracies people came out in a large number to cast their vote for MQM and once again expressed their trust in the party,” he said.

In order to observe the day, Hussain appealed to the people that after the Friday prayers they would offer special prayers of thanks to Allah for the splendid victory of MQM.

The MQM chief also advised his party workers and office bearer as well as the newly elected members of the parliament to visit the families of the party martyrs and share their sorrow and grief with them.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Election Commission Friday ordered re-election at the 43 polling stations of NA 250 in Karachi after hearing the contending parties arguments. Representing MQM, Dr Farooq Sattar urged the commission that the re-election should have carried in the whole constituency instead of specific polling stations.

Paksitan Tehreeke Insaf of Imran Khan was demanding re-election in 43 polling stations of the constituency.

The commission had cancelled the elections at the NA250 after complaint of gross administrative anomalies. On the election day on May 11, the polling could not be started at many a polling stations till after noon and even at some constituencies the polling could not be done at all.

The commission has also ordered that the army soldiers would be deployed inside and outside the polling stations.