PTI to hold fresh intra-party elections or lose “bat” symbol : Election Commission

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled on Thursday, that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party polls lacked transparency, directing the party to conduct new elections if it wanted to keep its “bat” symbol.

The ECP directives came from the pending intra-party elections case.The PTI to re-conduct intra-party elections within a tight 20-day time frame. The party is required to submit a comprehensive report on the intra-party elections within seven days following the re-election.

The verdict declared PTI’s intra-party elections unacceptable. The verdict further warned, “Failure to hold intra-party elections will render PTI ineligible to secure an election symbol,” according to the ruling.

A four-member bench, headed by Nisar Ahmed Durrani and comprising Shah Mohammad Jatoi, Babar Hussain Bharwana, and Justice (Retd) Ikramullah Khan, issued a reserved judgment.

Barrister Gohar Khan , the legal counsel for PTI said he was “extremely upset” by today’s verdict, adding that the requirements of justice were not met.He stated that the party intended to contest the ECP verdict in the proper legal forum.

The lawyer expressed “satisfaction” that according to today’s verdict, the bat was “our (PTI’s) symbol, it still is and it will remain on the ballot paper”.