ISLAMABAD: On August 4, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan over his party’s failure to conduct intra-party elections.
The summons, notice was served to Imran Khan in his capacity as the chairman of the party.
The electoral watchdog warned Imran Khan that PTI would not be allotted an election symbol if the intra-party polls were not conducted. The PTI was initially required to conduct the intra-party polls by June 13, 2021, but the party requested an extension until June 13 of the current year, which was granted.
However, the ECP stated that no further delays are possible, and a last notice was issued in June 2022.
According to Section 208 of the Elections Act, all political parties are obligated to elect office-bearers at the federal, provincial, and local levels periodically in accordance with the Constitution of the respective political party.
The act also specifies that a period not exceeding five years should intervene between any two elections.
Under the law, a political party is also required to publish the updated list of its central office-bearers and executive committee members on its website and submit the list, along with any subsequent changes, to the Election Commission.