ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the intra-party elections of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) null and void. As a result of the decision, Barrister Gohar Khan is no longer the chairman of the party.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has invalidated the intra-party elections of the PTI held this month and said that PTI cannot contest elections with the party symbol Bat after the decision.
The ECP in his decision said that the party has failed in conducting the intra-party elections.
The Peshawar High Court on Thursday directed the ECP to announced its reserved decision on PTI intra party election on Friday.
Following this decision, the most pressing question being asked is about the future of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and what options the party has for participating in the elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
Immediately after the Election Commission’s decision, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf released a statement on its social media platforms, stating, “Ladla (Nawaz Sharif) understands that in the presence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and symbol bat, he cannot win elections. The bat is not dead but alive, and we will win the election on February 8.”
In his reaction, Barrister Gohar stated, “We were aware of this conspiracy against party. We will approach the High Court and, before the deadline to collect tickets, we will reclaim our symbol. However, the High Court should also intervene in this matter.”
Political and legal experts consider this decision a significant setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Legal expert Hafeez Ehsan Khokhar said that the decision, certainly, is a major blow for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and they were not expecting this decision.
“After the intra-party elections of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were declared null and void, there is currently no leader in the party. If the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf wishes, they can challenge this decision in the High Court,” he added.
He further stated, “If relief is not obtained from the judiciary within the stipulated time, the party will have to field independent candidates. It is not necessary for them to have the same election symbol in every constituency, so the voter base of the PTI may fluctuate.”
Parliamentary affairs expert Ahmad Bilal Mehboob characterized this decision as a significant setback for the PTI and said, “They have no option other than to appeal to the Supreme Court.”
“Even if they do not get relief from the Supreme Court, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has another option: they can contest elections with a different electoral symbol other than the bat.”
He further explained, “The process for this is that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf forms an alliance with an another political party, adopts their electoral symbol, and enters the electoral arena.”
“While they will not have the electoral symbol of the bat, they can ask their voters across the country to vote for a single electoral symbol,” he added.
However, Ahmad Bilal Mehboob said, “Until January 13, the election symbols are frozen. Therefore, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf still has enough time to seek relief from the judiciary and there is a strong possibility that they may get relief from there.”
In response to a question, he said, “The structure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is still intact. Only their list has ended with the decision of the Election Commission, so they will not get an electoral symbol.”
