The Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a notice issued on Wednesday; the ECP cautioned PTI that it could lose its eligibility for obtaining an election symbol, consequent to its failure to conduct the requisite intra-party elections.
The notice calls for PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before the Commission on August 4th at 10 am. Failure to do so may invoke Section 215 (5) of the Elections Act, 2017, potentially declaring PTI ineligible for obtaining an election symbol in upcoming elections.
The ECP notice underscores its previous communications that stipulated the PTI’s intra-party elections were due on June 13, 2021, according to the party’s constitution.
PTI’s Delay in Complying with Election Regulations
Despite reminders to conduct intra-party elections within the legally mandated timeframe under sections 208, 209, and 215 of the ‘Elections Act 2017, PTI fell short of providing the necessary certificate to corroborate its compliance. The electoral body extended its final notice to the PTI in May of the previous year, stipulating the conduct of intra-party elections on or before June 13, 2022, cautioning against any further extensions.
In response, PTI’s submission of an amended party constitution was deemed insufficient by the ECP. Drawing attention to Section 209(1) of the Election Act, the ECP’s notice clarifies that each registered political party must provide the ECP with a certificate confirming the conduct of intra-party elections as dictated by law.
The notice further states that non-compliance with the said section may result in the party being declared ineligible to obtain an election symbol.
Last month, the ECP advised political parties to submit their applications for the allocation of election symbols in anticipation of the country’s general elections scheduled for later this year. It emphasized attaching a prioritized list of symbols, complete with the party leader’s signature, to their applications.
The ECP’s notice also mandated the inclusion of the head office address of the political party in every application, vowing to verify the eligibility of parties post-receipt of the applications.
The PTI was assigned the symbol of a ‘bat’ to contest the general elections in 2018.
 has warned PTI about potential ineligibility to obtain an election symbol due to the delay in conducting intra-party elections. PTI Chairman, Imran Khan, is summoned to appear before the Commission on August 4th.){kind=link}