Pakistan’s Election Commission to Hear PTI Election Discrepancy Case on October 2
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled a hearing on October 2 to address discrepancies in the intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to the Election Act of Pakistan, political parties must hold elections within a specific time frame as per their constitution, or they risk losing their electoral symbol.
PTI was supposed to hold its intra-party elections by June 13, 2021, but cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the delay. However, the ECP did not accept this reason due to the lack of a formal certificate. On November 23, 2023, the ECP ordered PTI to conduct fresh elections within 20 days. PTI complied and held elections on December 2, 2023.
These elections were challenged by Pakistani political leader Akbar S Babar, who cited discrepancies in the process. The ECP ruled that the elections did not adhere to PTI’s constitution and decided against PTI retaining its symbol, ‘bat.’ This decision was criticized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan as an attempt to destabilize democracy. PTI called the ECP’s order flawed and illegal, and has challenged the decision in both the Lahore High Court and the Peshawar High Court. Despite this, the ECP will proceed with the hearing on October 2.
Doubts Revealed
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) -: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is a group of people in Pakistan who make sure that elections are fair and follow the rules.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is a political party in Pakistan. Political parties are groups of people who work together to win elections and run the government.
discrepancies -: Discrepancies mean differences or mistakes. In this case, it means there were problems or mistakes in how PTI held their elections.
intra-party elections -: Intra-party elections are elections held within a political party to choose their leaders or representatives.
COVID-19 -: COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus that made many people sick around the world. Because of this, many events were delayed or canceled.
Akbar S Babar -: Akbar S Babar is a person who used to be a member of PTI. He challenged the way PTI held their elections.
symbol, ‘bat’ -: In elections, political parties often have symbols to represent them. PTI’s symbol is a bat, like the one used in cricket.
