ECP Retrieves PTI’s Bat Symbol Before 8 February Elections

In a significant setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of the general elections scheduled for February 8, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dealt a major blow to the former ruling party by nullifying its intra-party elections. This decision resulted in the withdrawal of PTI’s iconic “cricket bat” symbol.

The verdict, reserved by a five-member ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, was announced after PTI representatives engaged with ECP officials in response to a Supreme Court directive aimed at addressing the party’s concerns about an uneven playing field.

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The ECP’s written order, obtained by The Express Tribune, stated, “So keeping in view, the clear mandate of Elections Act, 2017 read with PTI constitution 2019, it is held that PTI has not complied with our directions rendered therein order dated 23rd November 2023 and failed to hold intra-party election in accordance with PTI prevailing Constitution, 2019 and Election Act, 2017, and Election Rules, 2017.”

This decision follows a series of events and legal proceedings, with the ECP taking this step after the PTI allegedly failed to meet the stipulated requirements for intra-party elections as mandated by the Elections Act, 2017 and PTI’s constitution of 2019. The nullification of the intra-party election results has significant implications for the PTI’s participation in the upcoming general elections, as the withdrawal of its iconic symbol marks a considerable challenge for the party’s electoral campaign.