The Peshawar High Court (PHC) took a significant step on Tuesday by suspending the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) declaration that deemed the PTI’s intra-party polls as unconstitutional, consequently revoking the party’s distinctive ‘bat’ election symbol.
Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel delivered the verdict promptly after reserving his decision on a petition filed by the PTI challenging the ECP’s ruling.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Judge Miankhel noted that elections were in February, emphasizing that the deadline for assigning electoral symbols was January 13.
He underscored that comprehensive discussions had taken place, ensuring that the arguments from all involved parties were thoroughly considered.
The PTI’s legal representatives argued that the intra-party polls had been conducted in compliance with the election commission’s directives.
In response to the PTI’s plea, the judge instructed the issuance of notices to the ECP and other relevant respondents in the case.
This development followed the electoral watchdog’s recent decision to invalidate, for the second time in less than a month, the PTI’s internal elections, where Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emerged as the party’s new chairman.
The PTI vehemently criticized this decision, terming it a “disgusting and shameful attempt” to obstruct the party’s participation in the elections.
Following the PHC’s ruling, PTI counsel Barrister Ali Zafar addressed the media, emphasizing the pivotal significance of the election symbol as the “life” of any political party.
He hailed the court’s decision, declaring that the ‘bat’ symbol rightfully belonged to the PTI and had been restored.
