ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s intra-party elections were null and void on Friday.
The Commission declared that PTI would not be granted the bat symbol in the upcoming general election due to its failure to organize the intra-party election following its constitution, Election Rules, and Election Act.
The case was adjudicated by a five-member bench of the ECP, with Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja leading the proceedings.
Earlier, on November 23, the ECP directed PTI to conduct intra-party elections within 20 days, warning that failure to do so would result in the loss of its electoral symbol.
Subsequently, the party organized the election on December 2, during which Barrister Gohar Khan was elected as the chairman. However, despite the election taking place and all of PTI’s officeholders being elected unopposed, the ECP deemed the process null and void.
However, the polls faced criticism from estranged PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar, who announced his intention to challenge the process, alleging a selection process designed to exclude party workers and favor a few lawyers.
In response to the decision, PTI denounced it as part of the “famous London Plan” and a “disgusting and shameful attempt to stop PTI from the election.” Despite the setback, the party expressed confidence in winning the general elections.
