by Amna Ali in The Express Tribune, Dec 30, 2023
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday decided to challenge the decision of the Peshawar High Court, which suspended the declaration of PTI’s internal polls as “unconstitutional” and the revocation of the party’s ‘cricket bat’ electoral symbol.
Sources indicate that the ECP plans to file an intra-court appeal in the PHC challenging the decision of its single-judge bench. In the event of no relief, the commission intends to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
On December 22, the ECP invalidated PTI’s internal elections, resulting in the withdrawal of the party’s iconic “cricket bat” symbol.
“So keeping in view, the clear mandate of Elections Act, 2017 read with PTI constitution 2019, it is held that PTI has not complied with our directions rendered therein order dated 23rd November, 2023 and failed to hold intra-party election in accordance with [the] PTI prevailing constitution, 2019 and Election Act, 2017, and Election Rules, 2017,” the ECP’s written order read.
“Therefore, the certificate dated 4th December, 2023 and Form-65 filed by the alleged chairman, is hereby regretted and rejected accordingly. The provisions of Section 215 of the Election Act, 2017 are hereby invoked and PTI is hereby declared ineligible to obtain the election symbol for which they have applied for,” it added.
In the intra-party elections held earlier this month on the ECP’s order, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected the PTI’s new chairman.
Gohar was nominated by Imran Khan — the PTI’s founding chairman, who was currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
However, on December 26, the PHC, presided over by a single judge Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel, suspended the commission’s decision to nullify the PTI’s intra-party polls and revoke its ‘cricket bat’ symbol.
The court in its order directed the commission to publish the PTI’s certificate on its website and restore the electoral symbol of the party. ….
The ECP held a meeting following the PHC’s decision earlier but was unable to figure out its response to it.
However, the commission finally decided on Friday to challenge the PHC decision through an intra-court appeal.
According to the ECP’s legal experts, the decision of a sole judge of the PHC without hearing the commission was against the principles of justice.
ECP revises schedule for reserved seats
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday made additional amendments to the election schedule, extending the scrutiny period for nomination papers of candidates on reserved seats. The scrutiny process for candidates contesting general seats is set to conclude on Saturday (today)…….
Code of conduct
Meanwhile, the ECP issued a 17-point code of conduct for the national media, which included print, electronic, digital media and social media influencers. The ECP warned that legal action would be taken in case of any violation of the code.
During the election campaign, the code of conduct said, the media would not broadcast prejudiced opinions against ideology, sovereignty, security of Pakistan, judiciary and other national institutions or any statements or accusations that threatened national unity, peace…..
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451604/ecp-decides-to-take-bat-back-from-pti
