No bat symbol for PTI

Election Commission Denies PTI’s Request to Retain ‘Bat’ Symbol, Cites Intra-Party Election Irregularities.

ISLAMABAD: In a pivotal decision, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea to retain its iconic ‘bat’ electoral symbol for the upcoming February 8 general election. The verdict, prompted by a directive from the Peshawar High Court, deems the PTI’s intra-party elections unlawful, asserting that the party failed to comply with electoral regulations.

The ECP’s order states, “PTI has not complied with our directions […] and failed to hold intra-party election in accordance with PTI prevailing Constitution, 2019, and Election Act, 2017, and Election Rules, 2017.” This decision follows a Supreme Court order instructing the ECP to address the PTI’s concerns regarding a perceived lack of a level playing field in the lead-up to the polls.

A crucial meeting between PTI leaders and the commission took place, leading to the ECP’s reserved judgment on the matter of the bat symbol allocation. The electoral body had taken unprecedented notice of the PTI’s intra-party elections, resulting in the election of Barrister Gohar Ali as the new chairman, nominated by PTI chief Imran Khan.

The intra-party polls, conducted on December 3, were a response to the ECP declaring null and void the earlier polls held in June 2022. The ECP had given the PTI a 20-day ultimatum to conduct fresh elections, warning of potential loss of eligibility for the coveted electoral symbol.

Criticism has surrounded the PTI’s election process, notably from estranged founding member Akbar S. Babar. Babar challenged the entire process, alleging that the PTI orchestrated a selection mechanism to exclude party workers and consolidate power among a select group of lawyers.

As the electoral landscape intensifies, the denial of the ‘bat’ symbol adds a new dimension to the political dynamics, raising questions about the PTI’s strategy and internal processes in the lead-up to the general elections.

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