ECP allows PTI to carry ‘Bat’ as electoral symbol , gives 20-day to hold intra party elections

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold intra-party polls within the next 20 days.

The ECP granted the PTI permission to contest future elections using the ‘bat’ symbol.

The ECP's announcement, part of a reserved verdict, deems the previous PTI intra-party elections null and void.

This decision followed the ECP's decision to reserve its ruling on September 13, a move prompted by the PTI lawyer's response to a show-cause notice issued on August 2. The notice questioned why the PTI should not face disqualification for its failure to conduct the mandated intra-party polls.

During the hearing, Barrister Gohar, representing the PTI, argued that the intra-party elections had occurred before the party constitution amendment.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the party had subsequently withdrawn those amendments.

The ECP's decision is rooted in a series of events dating back to May of the previous year when a show-cause notice was issued to the PTI chief for the party's failure to conduct intra-party elections.

Despite an extension granted until June 13, 2022, the PTI did not fulfill the requirement, leading to the nullification of the previously scheduled intra-party elections on June 13, 2021.

The PTI lawyers have condemned the ECP elections and said that they would challenge the verdict before the competent forum.