Intra-Party Elections
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed a review petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which challenged the decision regarding its intra-party elections.
The court’s order revealed that the PTI’s legal team was unable to present compelling arguments that could substantiate their case.
In a pointed exchange, Justice Musrat Hilali expressed her concerns about PTI’s failure to conduct its intra-party elections in a timely manner. She emphasized the disconnect between the party’s public declarations and its actions, stating, “I prefer people who talk on TV rather than talking on TV.”
This comment underscored her frustration with the disparity between the PTI’s public commitments and its actual electoral practices.
The court highlighted a crucial decision made on January 13, which was followed by elections held on February 8. This timeline raised questions about why PTI did not proactively seek a postponement from the Election Commission to ensure proper conduct of its internal elections.
Justice Hilali pointed out that the party had the opportunity to request additional time from the Election Commission during this period but failed to do so.
In the courtroom, PTI’s lawyer, Hamid Khan, defended the party’s position, asserting that the court had indicated any adjournment would lead to the suspension of the decision made by the Peshawar High Court.
He argued that depriving a political party of its fundamental right to participate in elections by stripping it of its electoral symbol is unconstitutional.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar further interrogated the PTI representatives, questioning why they had not previously challenged the provisions of the Election Act that they were now contesting.
The discussion illuminated the challenges facing PTI in navigating the legal landscape surrounding its intra-party electoral processes.
The dismissal of the review petition by Chief Justice Isa not only reaffirms the court’s stance on electoral integrity but also raises pertinent questions about the procedural efficacy and responsibilities of political parties in Pakistan.
The ruling serves as a significant precedent in the context of intra-party democracy and electoral accountability, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established electoral timelines and procedures.
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