Elections 2024: ECP strips PTI of its 'bat' symbol

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday stripped the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its ‘bat’ symbol.

A five-member bench of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja declared PTI's intra-party elections unlawful. 

This serves as a major blow to the party as it gears up for the February 8, 2024, elections, with its founder — PTI's voter driving force — already behind for months — and his release does not seem soon.

“PTI has not complied with our directions [...] and failed to hold intra-party election in accordance with PTI prevailing Constitution, 2019, and Election Act, 2017, and Election Rules, 2017,” the order read.

The PTI's intra-party elections were held on December 3 on the orders of ECP in which Barrister Gohar Ali was easily elected as the party’s new chairman, after being nominated by party chief Imran Khan.

However, the party was on the receiving end of sharp criticism over the polls as estranged PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar announced that he would challenge the entire process.

He had alleged that the PTI had carried out a selection process aimed at throwing out party workers to give the reins to a few lawyers. The verdict was reserved by the ECP after hearing, which was announced today.