The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to appeal against the recent judgment of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) regarding the electoral symbol issue of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to sources within the Election Commission, they will seek a review of the PHC’s decision through a process of judicial scrutiny.
The controversy arose when the Election Commission, based on the Inter-Party Election Act, refused to grant the electoral symbol ‘bat’ to PTI. However, on December 26, the Peshawar High Court declared the intra-party elections of PTI void and ordered the return of the party symbol to PTI. This decision prompted the Election Commission to file a petition of non-compliance with the Inter-Party Election Act, which led to the retrieval of the electoral symbol from PTI.
Despite the legal back-and-forth, on the 26th of December, the Peshawar High Court issued a stay order against the Election Commission’s decision, putting a hold on the retrieval of the symbol until a final verdict is reached. This legal deadlock underscored the complexity of the case, as the court refrained from providing a definitive ruling on the matter.
In its meeting held yesterday, the Election Commission of Pakistan convened to deliberate on the PHC’s judgment, but a conclusive decision on their response was deferred. However, today, the Election Commission has decided to officially challenge the Peshawar High Court’s verdict by filing an appeal for a judicial review.
This move highlights the Election Commission’s commitment to the legal process and its determination to seek a resolution to the symbol dispute within the framework of the law. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of this appeal will play a crucial role in determining the electoral fate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
