The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken legal action by filing a review petition in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) regarding a recent ruling by its single-judge bench. The ruling reinstated the cricket bat as the election symbol for former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
On December 22, the ECP declared the intraparty polls of the PTI, held earlier in the month, as a violation of regulations and nullified them, resulting in the removal of the party's electoral symbol. In response, the PTI petitioned the PHC against the ECP's decision, leading to the high court suspending the election regulator's ruling on December 26 and reinstating the cricket bat as the PTI's symbol.
In its review petition, the ECP argued that the interim relief granted by the PHC was against the law and beyond the court's territorial jurisdiction. The election regulator emphasized that the subject matter of the petition falls within its exclusive domain, stating that the constitution vests the powers and jurisdiction in the commission to make factual determinations related to the issues raised.
The ECP's decision to strip the PTI of its electoral symbol followed a challenge by a disgruntled PTI leader, Akbar S. Babar, who urged the election watchdog to declare the intraparty elections null and void for rule violations. Election symbols hold significant importance in Pakistan, where the adult literacy rate is 58 percent. Without the bat symbol, PTI nominees might have to contest upcoming elections as independent candidates, scheduled for February 8.
Imran Khan, currently in prison since August due to a graft case conviction, has accused Pakistan's military, the ECP, and the caretaker government of colluding with rivals to obstruct the PTI's participation in the elections. These allegations are denied by the military, the election regulator, and the caretaker government.
(With Agency Inputs)
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