ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has warned the former ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that failure in the intra-party elections may disqualify it from getting election symbols.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, the apex electoral body has summoned PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear on August 4 (Friday) at 10 am, failing which he will be charged under Section 215 (5) of the Commission Elections Act, 2017. ) can declare your political party under The party is ineligible to receive election symbols for future elections.
Referring to its earlier notices, the ECP said that PTI’s intra-party elections were to be held on June 13, 2021, as per the party’s constitution.
It stated that the PTI was informed/reminded to conduct party elections within the time frame provided under Sections 208, 209 and 215 of the Election Act, 2017 but the party “failed to provide the required certificates in this regard”. I failed.”
The Polls Organizing Authority also said that it had issued a final notice to PTI in May last year to ensure holding of intra-party elections on or before 13.06.2022 (extended date), with the observation that No further extension will be allowed.
Subsequently, notices PTI submitted a copy of the amended party constitution which the election body termed as “inadequate”.
The ECP referred to Section 209(1) of the Election Act and said that every registered political party is bound to provide a certificate to the ECP regarding the conduct of intra-party elections as provided by law.
“If any political party fails to comply with the provisions of the said Section 209, the commission has the power to disqualify the said political party from obtaining election symbols,” the notice added.
Last month, the ECP had directed political parties to submit their applications for allotment of election symbols ahead of the country’s general elections later this year.
The ECP had directed the parties to attach a list of preferred symbols with their applications, adding that the signature of the party leader was necessary.
The Election Commission said that every application should include the address of the head office of the political party.
It also said that the body will check the eligibility of the parties after receiving the applications.
In 2018, PTI was allotted the ‘bat’ symbol to contest the general elections.
