ECP once again objects to PTI intra-party elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again objected to the recent intra-party elections of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the electoral authority has issued a notice to the party founded by Imran Khan, pointing out alleged irregularities during the intra-party elections held on March 3.

The ECP’s political finance wing has summoned PTI representatives to appear before it on April 30. This marks the third instance where the ECP has raised objections over PTI’s intra-party elections.

On March 4, PTI submitted documents related to its intra-party polls to the ECP, including details of newly-elected party officials, a certificate from the party chief (Imran Khan) in Form 65, names of core committee members, and other pertinent records.

Under the Election Act (2017), all registered political parties in Pakistan are mandated to conduct intra-party elections as outlined in their respective constitutions within specified timelines.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed as the Chairman of PTI after other candidates withdrew from the intra-party elections. Similarly, Omar Ayub and Yasmeen Rashid were elected unopposed as General Secretary and President of PTI’s Punjab chapter, respectively.

PTI decided to conduct these intra-party polls following a Supreme Court decision that upheld the ECP’s ruling, resulting in the party losing its electoral symbol, the bat.