Tariq Saeed Peshawar
The Peshawar High Court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to decide the case pertaining to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s intra-party elections and allocation of election emblem case by December 22 (today) with the Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali accusing the ECP delaying the matters adding PTI candidates would be considered to be independent, if they were not allotted the election symbol by December 22.
PHC announced the reserved verdict to this effect on Thursday on a set of PTI petitions, ordering the electoral watchdog to decide on the matter in accordance with the law. A two-member bench comprising Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Shakeel Ahmed heard the writ petition.
In a written order issued Thursday, the PHC noted that the dispute over the PTI’s intra-party elections had already been heard in detail by the ECP and the latter had also reserved its verdict in the case.
During the hearing, the PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan apprised the court that the party did not approach the Islamabad High Court because they feared that their leaders might be arrested.
The party may not be allotted the election symbol Bat if the intra-party elections are not recognized by the Election Commission which is using delaying tactics. PTI Chairman apprehended adding his party was being treated indiscriminately.
Apart from this, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stressed, those who had challenged the intraparty polls were not a part of the PTI anymore. He also submitted a list of all the registered PTI members in court. Defending the PTI party elections he said the procedure of intra-party elections had to be decided by the party itself.
Barrister Gohar said the ECP had issued a notice to the PTI on its intra-party elections and December 22 was the last day for filing nomination papers for general elections. “There was no concept of intra-party elections in the 1962 Political Parties Act. In 2002, the intra-party elections were directed to be held through secret ballots”. Gohar opined.
Justice Shah inquired if they were given an election symbol before the general elections.
