PTI regains “BAT” as PHC suspends ECP decision
On Tuesday, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) halted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision deeming the PTI’s intra-party polls unconstitutional and rescinding the party’s ‘bat’ election symbol. Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel delivered the verdict after reviewing a petition from the PTI challenging the ECP’s ruling, stating that elections were imminent in February with the electoral symbol allocation deadline on January 13.
Judge Miankhel highlighted that arguments from all involved parties were considered, noting that PTI lawyers contended the intra-party polls were conducted under the election commission’s directives. They argued that, according to the Constitution, any citizen can establish or join a political party. The judge instructed the issuance of notices to the ECP and other respondents in the case.
PTI remained confident
This legal action followed the ECP’s recent annulment, for the second time in less than a month, of the PTI’s internal elections, where Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was chosen as the new chairman. The ECP’s verdict, based on a unique microscopic examination of the party’s internal processes, rendered PTI ineligible for its traditional ‘bat’ symbol in the upcoming general elections.
PTI denounced the decision as part of the “famous London Plan” and a “disgusting attempt” to hinder their election participation, pledging to appeal at every available forum. Despite the setback, they maintained confidence in winning the general elections and affirmed their candidates’ intent to contest with the ‘bat’ symbol.
Khattak’s claim nullified by ECP
Parviaz Khattak, leading his own PTI faction, stirred controversy by claiming the symbol was “offered” to him without specifying by whom. This statement caused some reservations about the role of ECP. ECP who was already under the burden of allegations made abrupt clarification. In response, the ECP clarified on social media that the ‘bat’ symbol had not been offered to anyone else, including PTI Parliamentarians Chairman Pervez Khattak.
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There are chances that those who went to ECP against PTI’s party elections, will approach Supreme court against PHC decision.