ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan will conduct hearing today (Tuesday) with regard to the non-holding of intra-party elections of ex-chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s Pakistan Justice & Democratic Party.
A notice has also been sent to the key partner of the ruling coalition Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan which is headed by Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, as his party failed to hold the mandatory intra-party polls. It is learnt that the party elections of the Pakistan Justice & Democratic Party were due in June last year, but these could not be held so far, resulting in withholding of its election symbol, which is “gavel”. The cases of MQMP and PJ&DP have been fixed specifically for non-conduct of party polls.
According to a senior ECP official, it is not necessary that the former justice is required to appear before an Election Commission bench or Dr Khalid Maqbool. “They can send a party representative or even an advocate for this purpose,” he explained. He noted that any political entity enlisted on the Election Commission’s record is bound to carry electoral exercise within the party in accordance with its own constitution, failing which can result in withholding of its election symbol or imposition of fine as per the law.
In case of withholding of an election symbol, a political party is left with no other option but to field its candidates as independents in general elections or by-elections; already Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is faced with this situation since the 2024 general elections.
Another party, which has been summoned in relation to its intra-party election is former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’ Awaam Pakistan (AP) party; the Election Commission has also penalized his party by withholding its symbol “clock”. The fourth party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Tehreek, will appear for further hearing for having issues in relation to its party polls, as its election symbol “coins” has also been withheld.
