ISLAMABAD- The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday dismissed the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Salman Akram Raja to be designated as independent candidates.
The ECP made a decisive decision regarding the request against designating Salman Akram Raja as an independent candidate from National Assembly constituency NA-128.
The commission said that it did not award the electoral symbol to PTI, and the Supreme Court also upheld the Election Commission’s decision. The PTI could not prove in the Supreme Court that intra-party elections were held.
All PTI candidates are participating in the election as independent candidates.
It is reported that in response to this matter, PTI candidate Salman Akram Raja has appealed to the Supreme Court.
In his petition, he stated that his name should be written as a PTI candidate instead of an independent candidate in Form 33. He also included his party certificate along with the nomination papers.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been registered with the Election Commission as a political party since 1996.
Raja said that their party did not cease to exist, but the PTI members should be allowed to demonstrate their affiliation with the party.
“We do not desire any delay in the election; I only seek the correction of Form 33,” said Raja.
He sought directives from the commission to allow him contest elections as candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
