ECP holds PTI responsible for delay in intra-party election case

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that it has shown continuous flexibility regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) intra-party elections, while the party is responsible for the delay in resolving the case. 

In a press statement, the ECP mentioned that PTI conducted its last intra-party election on March 3, 2024, which contained several flaws. As a result, the election commission issued a notice to the party on April 23, 2024. 

“The first hearing of the case was held on April 30, 2024. Since then, six hearings have been held from April to October 2024. However, in five of these hearings, PTI requested more time and sought adjournments, including in today’s hearing on October 2, 2024,” the statement said. 

The election commission has repeatedly shown flexibility in this matter, yet PTI continues to delay the proceedings, with the responsibility for the postponements resting squarely with the party, it said.

Also read: Barrister Gohar hopes ECP won’t stall PTI intra-party election case 

The ECP is making every effort to resolve the matter in accordance with the law. Sections 208 and 209 of the Election Act 2017 require all political parties to hold intra-party elections within five years, as per their respective constitutions. The PTI was supposed to hold its elections by June 13, 2021, but this deadline was missed. 

It said that the election commission issued multiple reminders to PTI and ultimately issued a show-cause notice on July 27, 2021. In response, the party requested a one-year extension, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for the delay. 

The ECP granted the extension until June 13, 2022. The PTI subsequently submitted intra-party election documents under Form 65 in June 2022, but these were incomplete. Despite receiving several reminders and requests for additional documents, the PTI has continued to delay the process. Regular hearings on the issue have been held by the ECP, yet the matter remains unresolved due to the party’s repeated adjournment requests.