ECP strips PTI of its iconic ‘Bat’ symbol ahead of general elections

Islamabad: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dealt a substantial blow to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, as it officially stripped the party of its iconic 'bat' symbol.

The symbol, closely associated with PTI's founder and former cricketer, Imran Khan, has long been emblematic of the party's identity.

ECP five-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja announced the verdict reserved earlier, holding the PTI's intra-party elections as unlawful.

The decision holds significant implications for the PTI, particularly as it braces for the upcoming general elections slated for February 8, 2024.

Imran Khan, the driving force behind PTI's voter appeal, has been absent from the political landscape for several months, and his return remains uncertain.

This setback, compounded by the loss of its distinctive symbol, poses considerable challenges to the PTI's electoral strategy and raises questions about its prospects in the impending polls.

On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to adjudicate on the petitions filed against PTI's intra-party elections in compliance with the law.

Barrister Gohar, the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, argued in court that the party itself should determine the procedure for intra-party elections. He expressed concerns that if PTI's intra-party elections were not accepted, the electoral symbol of the "bat" might not be granted. This, in turn, could categorize PTI's candidates as independent candidates in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8 next year.

Gohar contended that the ECP had been employing delaying tactics and highlighted alleged discriminatory treatment towards the PTI. He also questioned whether other political parties had been similarly asked to respond to 32 questions.

Responding to Justice Shakeel's inquiry about whether the ECP should decide on complaints itself, Barrister Gohar emphasized that the party filing the complaint was not part of the ECP.

During the hearing, Barrister Gohar presented a list of registered PTI members to the court, noting that notices had been issued not only to the central leadership but also to the provincial cabinet of the PTI.

He added that PTI leaders refrained from approaching the Islamabad High Court due to the fear of arrest, asserting that any high court in the country could be approached from the federation's perspective.

The court, after reserving its decision following the arguments of the PTI chairman, instructed the ECP to make a decision on the matter in accordance with the law.