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ECP nullifies PTI intra-party polls, orders re-election within 20 days

ECP nullifies PTI intra-party polls, orders re-election within 20 days
November 23, 2023 Web Desk

ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled on Thursday, that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party polls lacked transparency, directing the party to conduct new elections if it wanted to keep its 'bat' symbol.

A four-member bench, headed by Nisar Ahmed Durrani and comprising Shah Mohammad Jatoi, Babar Hussain Bharwana, and Justice (Retd) Ikramullah Khan, issued a reserved judgment instructing the PTI to conduct new elections within 20 days.

In the ruling, the ECP stated that the PTI failed to conduct unbiased intra-party elections effectively, pointing to objections and controversy associated with the polls. The commission has instructed the PTI to conduct new elections within 20 days. In the ruling, the ECP mentioned that the PTI did not successfully organize impartial intra-party elections, noting objections and controversy surrounding the polls.

The verdict declared, “PTI’s intra-party elections are unacceptable,” instructing the party to conduct polls and submit the records within seven days. It further warned, “If the ECP does not conduct elections within 20 days, it will face severe consequences. Failure to hold intra-party elections will render PTI ineligible to secure an election symbol,” according to the ruling.

Notices were issued by the ECP to PTI on August 2 for failing to conduct intra-party polls, and the verdict on this matter was reserved on September 13. Thursday’s ruling poses a concern for PTI, given that a significant portion of its leadership, including Chairman Imran Khan, his deputy Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and party president Pervaiz Elahi, are either in jail or have left the party amid the crackdown initiated against them following the May 9 riots. Barrister Gohar, the legal counsel for PTI, stated that the party intended to contest the ECP verdict in the proper legal forum.