Intra-Party Polls
Barrister Gohar Khan, who secured an uncontested victory as PTI chairman in the now nullified intra-party polls, has declared his intent to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict in the Peshawar High Court (PHC). On Friday, Khan revealed the party’s plan to submit a petition to the PHC, seeking to overturn the ECP’s decision once the certified order is received.
Leaders of PTI reportedly arrived at the Peshawar High Court on Saturday, anticipating potential objections due to the lack of a certified copy of the ECP’s decision. The party asserted that the ECP’s ruling, declaring PTI’s intra-party elections invalid and denying them the bat symbol for the upcoming general election, was part of what they termed the “famous London Plan.”
Ladla Sharif cannot compete on ground , he knows he stands no chance to win when the voters are Pakkstanis. This yet another part of the famous London Plan, a disgusting and shameful attempt to stop PTI from election.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 22, 2023
InshAllah, “the bat is not dead. Long live the bat”. We will… https://t.co/N0cm7rGjJU
In response to the ECP’s decision, PTI accused the oversight body of bias, alleging that it was a deliberate attempt to hinder the party’s electoral prospects. The party contended that the move was orchestrated to impede PTI from participating in the election process.
The ECP, in its declaration on Friday, deemed PTI’s intra-party elections null and void, citing non-compliance with the party’s constitution, Election Rules, and the Election Act. The party’s internal elections, held on December 2, resulted in Barrister Gohar’s unopposed election as PTI chairman, following his nomination by party founder Imran Khan.
The secrecy surrounding the election venue raised concerns, and the subsequent revelation that the polling occurred in Peshawar’s Ranogarhi with around 500 participants fueled dissatisfaction.
Founding member Akbar S Babar, among others, rejected the election results, advocating for fresh elections. A total of 13 petitions, including one by Babar, were filed against PTI’s intra-party elections, setting the stage for a complex legal battle in the wake of the ECP’s decision.
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