By In a recent development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a directive to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, ordering it to conduct intra-party elections within 20 days to maintain the ‘bat’ as its designated poll symbol.
The commission had previously warned the PTI in August, emphasizing the importance of holding these polls, or risk being deemed ineligible for an election symbol.
The background of this directive traces back to the party’s internal elections due on June 13, 2021, according to its constitution, with a one-year extension granted. However, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, representing the PTI, argued that the elections took place before an amendment in the party’s constitution.
Contrarily, the Chief Election Commissioner claimed the amendment occurred on June 8, 2022, with intra-party polls held on June 10, 2022, and contested Khan’s assertion that the amendment was later withdrawn.
Despite a final notice issued to PTI in May 2022, the party’s submission of the amended constitution was deemed insufficient by the electoral body. The case saw the ECP reserving its verdict in October, amidst a petition by the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party aiming to revoke PTI’s ‘bat’ symbol.
Fast forward to the recent verdict, a four-member commission headed by Nisar Ahmed Durrani announced the decision, instructing PTI to conduct intra-party elections within 20 days and submit a comprehensive report within seven days thereafter.
The written verdict expressed dissatisfaction with PTI’s handling of the intra-party elections, calling them “highly disputed/objectionable.” Instead of invoking immediate penalties, the ECP opted for a lenient approach, directing PTI to conduct polls strictly within 20 days.
The order warned of severe consequences, including ineligibility for an election symbol, if the party fails to comply.
The ECP raised concerns about the authenticity of the documents provided, highlighting a contradiction in the dates of the intra-party election. The verdict emphasized the absence of timely submission of required documents, casting doubts on the legitimacy of PTI’s election process.
Barrister Khan, representing PTI, expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the verdict, alleging a delay for a “special purpose.” He insisted that the notice focused on documentation rather than the constitutionality of the elections. PTI plans to challenge the order, asserting that the ‘bat’ symbol remains theirs.
In response to PTI’s plea, the ECP acknowledged a misunderstanding in its earlier order but maintained that the elections’ legitimacy remained questionable. The party’s claim that the matter was resolved in August was countered by the ECP’s assertion that a detailed order would follow, which, as of yet, has not been provided.
This verdict adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing intra-party election saga, with PTI now facing a tight deadline to comply with the ECP’s directive. The political landscape awaits the outcome of these elections and the subsequent impact on PTI’s eligibility for the ‘bat’ symbol in future elections.
