ISLAMABAD: Describing it as a “conspiracy” against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party’s former chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, announced that they would challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke the party’s iconic election symbol, the ‘bat.’
The five-member ECP bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja declared PTI’s intra-party elections illegal, leading to the withdrawal of the party’s election symbol.
In an interview, Barrister Gohar expressed longstanding concerns about the ECP, alleging that the electoral watchdog had not monitored other parties as it did with the PTI.
He emphasized that the PTI had conducted its intra-party elections following party law and the constitution, and questioned the specific violation of the Elections Act 2017 or any constitutional section.
Gohar characterized the ECP’s decision as “political and personality-based,” claiming that the party’s intra-party polls adhered to the law and constitution.
He asserted that the ECP pre-determined to take away the ‘bat’ symbol from the PTI and accused it of conspiring to deprive a major political party of its election symbol, forcing its candidates to run as independents in the general elections.
Expressing concern about the impact on reserved seats in the National Assembly, Gohar highlighted the role of lawmakers elected on reserved seats in various crucial elections.
He alleged that the conspiracy was designed to confuse PTI’s supporters and candidates during the upcoming general elections.
Responding to a question, the PTI leader questioned whether members of the ECP had raised any unaddressed issues with the former ruling party, suggesting a lack of impartiality in the process.
