Tag: ECP

  • ECP rejects nomination papers of Dr Ammar Ali Jan

    ECP rejects nomination papers of Dr Ammar Ali Jan

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has on Saturday rejected the nomination papers of the leader of the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP), Dr Ammar Ali Jan, from PP 160 Lahore.

    The HKP leader and well-known activist claimed that all his documents were cleared during the scrutiny process, but unknown forces intervened.

    He also said in one of his tweets on X (previously Twitter): “My nomination papers for PP160 have been rejected by ECP. All documents were cleared during the scrutiny process, but invisible forces intervened later. We will go to High Court and have this decision reversed. The selection process will fail, and democracy will prevail.”

    He also wrote on X that HKP staged a historical rally at Shanghai Bridge on Sunday, alleging that police threatened HKP workers and tried to disperse the gathering.

    Dr Ammar Ali Jan is a known teacher and activist who leads social work in underprivileged localities of Lahore. During Imran Khan’s government, he was a leading critical voice, subjected to targeted harassment by the police.

  • ECP files review petition against PHC order on PTI ‘bat’ symbol

    ECP files review petition against PHC order on PTI ‘bat’ symbol

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has submitted a review petition on Saturday to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) challenging the decision of its single-judge bench regarding the iconic electoral symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ‘bat’.

    The high court issued its verdict on December 26 regarding PTI’s petition that contested the ECP’s decision, which had deemed the party’s internal polls “unlawful” and stripped it of using the ‘bat’ symbol.

    While announcing the reserved verdict, the PHC suspended the ECP’s order and restored the party’s ‘bat’ symbol till a final decision on the petition. The court also stated that a double bench will hear the matter after winter vacations.

    The ECP, in its plea, has urged the court to review the intra-party elections of the PTI and its determinations concerning the election symbol.
    The Commission, in its plea, urged the court to schedule the petition for consideration by a division bench, emphasizing broader public interest. The commission asserted its responsibility to conduct elections with honesty, justice, and fairness in accordance with the law.
    The petition read that Article 218(3) allows the electoral body to organise and conduct the elections, adding that the ECP is also responsible for making all necessary arrangements ahead of the polls.

    “This court […] observed that election is a process which starts with the issuance of the election programme and consists of the various links and stages in that behalf as, filing of nomination papers, their scrutiny, the hearing of objections and the holding of actual polls. If any of these links is challenged it really (is) tantamount to challenging the said process of election,” it said.

  • Murad Saeed’s papers rejected; Imran Khan to pay two lac fine

    Murad Saeed’s papers rejected; Imran Khan to pay two lac fine

    The Returning Officer (RO) for NA-4 on Friday rejected the nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed as the candidate was on the absconder’s list.

    Murad Saeed has been absconding since the May 9 incidents.

    PTI’s lawyer has said that he has completed all the documents required by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and will appeal against the verdict in Peshawar High Court (PHC).

    Meanwhile, the Provincial election commissioner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has directed returning officers across different districts to recover unpaid fines from various political leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as per Dawn.

    These fines, imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), are under scrutiny as part of the nomination paper review process for the upcoming February 8 elections.

    A letter dated December 28, issued by the provincial election commissioner and obtained by Dawn.com, reveals that a total of 62 political figures from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab have outstanding fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000.

    The fines are linked to violations committed during election campaigns, with the severity of the violations determining the penalty amount.

    According to the letter, Imran Khan faces a substantial debt of Rs200,000 to the ECP, making him the highest debtor on the list.

    The former premier allegedly committed four separate violations in March 2022, each resulting in a fine of Rs50,000. Notably, these violations occurred just a month before Imran Khan’s removal through a parliamentary vote.

    Other prominent figures on the list include former Chief Minister of KP Mahmood Khan, who owes Rs150,000 for three violations, and ex-federal minister Murad Saeed, facing a fine of Rs100,000 for two violations.

    Several members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-P) are also included, with outstanding amounts ranging from Rs50,000.

    The ECP letter states, “Candidates and public office holders [in the past] violated the code of conduct during election campaigns of various previous elections… fines were imposed upon them under Section 234 sub-section (3) of the Election Act 2017.”

    It further notes that some individuals failed to deposit the fines and others filed appeals that were rejected by the ECP.

    The competent authority has directed returning officers to share the list of defaulters and ensure the recovery of unpaid fines during the scrutiny of nomination papers. The deadline for scrutinizing nomination papers is December 30, with the process commencing on December 24.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Friday that it will display the final list of the candidates’ list on January 23 (Tuesday).

    According to the electoral watchdog, the candidates will be able to withdraw their nomination papers until Monday, January 22.

    The ECP is expected to display the candidate list on January 20. The appellate tribunals will decide on the appeals until January 19.

    The appeals against RO’s verdict on the special seats can be filed until January 16.

    The electoral watchdog had revised the election schedule for the special seats. The scrutiny of the nomination papers of women and minorities candidates will continue until January 13.

  • PMLN says Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding PTI’s ‘Bat’ symbol is ‘pre-poll rigging’

    PMLN says Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding PTI’s ‘Bat’ symbol is ‘pre-poll rigging’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has labeled the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) recent decision about the iconic bat symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as “pre-poll rigging”.

    Last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) nullified PTI’s internal elections and revoked their bat symbol. However, on Tuesday, the PHC suspended the ECP’s declaration, prompting strong reactions from PML-N leaders.

    “Keeping in view the urgency, that a political party has been denuded of its symbol, meaning hearby that aspirants from the general public who were willing to vote for the petitioners’ party were divested of their right to vote as per their choice,” Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel ruled.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing an event in Karachi on Thursday, called the PHC’s order “an attack” on the election commission’s authority.

    “How can the Peshawar High Court give an order that affects Pakistan? There are candidates, who are in some way, related to the judge. I believe that the judge should have recused himself from the bench based on his relationship,” he said.

    The scales of justice, the former prime minister said, were being titled for a “ladla” (blue-eyed boy). “The kind of decisions that are being issued are concerning for us. We expect justice from the judiciary.”

    Reacting to the PHC verdict, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah accused the court of engaging in “pre-poll rigging and attack on the ECP,” asserting that the ruling violated the Election Act 2017. Sanaullah claimed that the judge’s cousin, a PTI candidate, influenced the decision.

    PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz condemned the PHC ruling, describing it as an attack on the constitutional powers of the ECP.

    “The [PHC] judge gave relief to his cousin’s party.”
    In her statement, PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz blasted the PHC ruling and termed the single bench verdict tantamount to an attack on the ECP’s constitutional powers.
    “Fake and fraudulent intra-party elections [of PTI] have been declared ‘halal’. The ruling is the victory of the selection but not the election.”
    Firing a fresh salvo at the incarcerated PTI founder, Maryam, who is also the party’s chief organiser, said: “Those who seek a level-playing field are not ready to give the same to anybody within their party.”

    Reacting to the PHC ruling, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman told journalists in Islamabad that an atmosphere of “judicial martial law” was created in the country.

    In a separate development, the ECP filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the PHC’s ruling on the appointment of a returning officer for a provincial assembly constituency. The ECP questioned whether the high court’s order interfered with its constitutional and statutory duties, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the election process.

    The PHC’s decision to suspend the appointment of a returning officer has sparked legal challenges, with the ECP urging the Supreme Court to set aside the order for the sake of justice and the electoral process.

  • ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan made a significant announcement on Wednesday, stating that PTI leaders who have dissociated from the party through press conferences will not be granted election tickets.

    Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized the party’s firm decision not to award tickets to individuals involved in such public disassociations, regardless of the number of people involved.

    Highlighting the directives of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar mentioned, “Imran Khan has instructed the party to gear up for general elections 2024.”

    In response to the recent Supreme Court order on senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the PTI chairman emphasized the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure its implementation.

    He revealed that the commission had requested the party to submit an application concerning Qureshi and other incidents where PTI leaders and activists were targeted.

    Barrister Gohar informed the media about the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order and urged the Election Commission to upload the certificate of PTI’s intra-party elections, assuring that the commission would conduct an investigation. He asserted that if a party’s election symbol is revoked, it is equivalent to its dissolution, and only the Supreme Court holds the authority to make such decisions.

    Earlier on December 26, PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar commented on the issue, stating that the fate of PTI leaders who held press conferences and parted ways with the party would be decided by Imran Khan on a case-to-case basis.

    Azhar mentioned that many individuals who had dissociated through press conferences wished to return to the party, and Imran Khan would personally decide on their return.

    He also demanded release of all political workers, “Stop turning the criminal justice system into a joke. Release all political prisoners. My colleagues have languished in jails for more than 7 months despite being innocent. I myself have been falsely nominated as an accused in dozens of Fake FIRs despite being not present on any single incident mentioned (one overly imaginative mind even listed me as chucking petrol bombs on mall road). End this madness and release all. Stop rearresting ppl after bail. Stop booking ppl in fake cases after arbitrarily arresting them for holding political association with PTI. Let the people of Pakistan decide who will govern them.”

  • ECP might move Supreme Court against High Court order

    ECP might move Supreme Court against High Court order

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has raised concerns over the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order against the appointment of a returning officer (RO) in PK-91 Kohat-II. According to the sources of The News, “it is becoming difficult” for electoral authorities to conduct polls with multiple emerging challenges.

    The electoral body showed concerns during the ECP meeting on Wednesday and decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) against the PHC order rejecting the appointment of Irfanullah as RO for PK-91 Kohat-II.

    As per the report, ECP decided to move to SC after consulting with legal experts from the commission.

    “The meeting noted that following the PHC order, the very constituency is now technically without a returning officer. In these circumstances, it is becoming difficult for the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct elections,” sources said, referring to the commission’s huddle here at its secretariat after having received the provincial high court order.

    According to Article 218, it is the constitutional authority of the electoral body to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in the country, and all the state institutions are bound to support the ECP to make polls possible.

    The Commission reviewed the matter and decided to hold another meeting on Thursday (today) prior to taking a decision in relation to the PHC order.

  • Candidate doesn’t need to appear before ROs to submit nomination papers, says ex-secretary ECP

    Candidate doesn’t need to appear before ROs to submit nomination papers, says ex-secretary ECP

    Former Secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, said on Wednesday that election candidates don’t need to appear before returning officers (ROs) to submit their nomination papers or for scrutiny of papers.

    Candidates who are hiding or proclaimed offenders need to appear before ROs to submit their nomination papers; otherwise, their nomination papers will be rejected.

    As per Section 62 of the Election Act of 2017, the election candidate is not required to be present at the time of submitting nomination papers.

    Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad also said that former President General Pervez Musharraf said in 2002 that a candidate needs to appear before RO to submit their nomination paper.

    The election order was illegal as Musharraf was targeting former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif at that time, and he wanted to keep Banazir and Nawaz Sharif out of the elections.

    He said that in 2007, the ECP amended the Election Order 2002, after which Bhutto and Sharif did not need to submit their nomination papers and appear in person at the time of scrutiny.

    “At the time of scrutiny of nomination papers, the candidate’s election agent, proposer and a voter who has registered an objection under sub-section (1) shall be present. The returning officer shall give him reasonable opportunity of scrutinising all nomination papers. Nowhere in this section is mentioned that the candidate must be present before the returning officer at the time of submission of nomination papers or scrutiny,” he added.

  • ECP approves Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers from NA-130 Lahore

    ECP approves Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers from NA-130 Lahore

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accepted the nomination papers of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif from NA-130 Lahore constituency.

    PML-N leader Bilal Yaseen submitted the nomination papers of the former prime minister.

    He also confirmed that ECP accepted the papers.

    Sharif has submitted nomination papers from Lahore and Mansehra constituencies.

    “By the grace of Allah, Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers were accepted from NA-130,” said Bilal Yaseen, adding that ECP has raised no objections as yet.

    “Nawaz Sharif will succeed from this constituency in the February 8 elections. He will be elected prime minister of Pakistan for the fourth time,” he added.

    Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Amjad Parvez, also told the media that “the returning officer has said that everything is complete from your side.”

  • PTI moves to court for reinstatement of bat symbol

    PTI moves to court for reinstatement of bat symbol

    In a major legal victory for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Peshawar High Court (PHC) temporarily halted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) directives and restored the iconic party symbol ‘bat’.

    The PHC also stated while announcing the verdict that a double bench will hear the matter after winter vacations.

    PHC judge, Kamran Hayat Miankhel, said the election symbol can’t be revoked after the release of the election schedule.

    Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition in Peshawar High Court (PHC) to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order declaring intra-party polls illegal and revoking its electoral symbol, the cricket bat.

    Justice Kamran Hayat Miankel of the PHC will hear the petition filed by PTI today after the party requested an urgent hearing in court.

    According to the petition filed by PTI, the ECP has no authority to decide about the intra-party elections, adding that the complainant who challenged intra-party polls is not a member of the party.

    “The ECP withdrew the electoral symbol ‘bat’,” it read asking the court to form a bench comprising senior judges and hear the plea on Tuesday (today).

    In discussing the recent decision, the chairman of the PTI, Gohar Khan, strongly criticised the ECP but expressed optimism that courts will support the request for its reinstatement.

  • What is Hum Awam Pakistan Party and why do they want ballay ka nishan?

    What is Hum Awam Pakistan Party and why do they want ballay ka nishan?

    The Hum Awam Pakistan Party (HAPP) has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allot it the cricket bat as its electoral symbol.

    The party’s petition earnestly requested that the election symbol of the bat be allocated to the Hum Awam Pakistan Party, advocating for fairness and representation.

    The chairman of Hum Awam Pakistan Party, Muhammad Amjad Chaudhry, filed the petition.

    Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Ahmer Zaman Khan, who is additional secretary general said, “Our election symbol was ‘lock’ but it was withdrawn for not submitting returns. Now the Election Commission is requested to allot us the election symbol of the bat,” he pleaded.

    The party had written to ECP on December 11, 2023, too for allotment of Bat symbol.

    “We have this right to request for the very symbol under the Constitution and accordingly we have requested the Election Commission and we have full faith in it,” Khan added.

    Recently, the Election Commission canceled the registration of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and also withdrew the election symbol Eagle, which was allotted to it. Now, the symbol has been allotted to the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party.

    What is the Hum Awam Pakistan Party?

    The Facebook page of this party was created on June 6, 2020. Currently, the Facebook page has 1800 followers. Interestingly, the pages followed by this party’s page include DG ISPR and ISPR along with Malik Riaz and Sami Ibraheem.

    The About section of this Facebook page has a website link to the party but http://humawampakistan.com/ is not accessible as of the time this article is being published.

    In September 2020, the party organized a protest outside the Karachi Press Club and demanded that an independent, nonpolitical administrative setup, comprising the people of Karachi should handle all the administrative matters of the city instead of the political framework and it should be under the supervision of Pakistan’s Army.

    In August 2020, a constitutional petition was filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan by this party that sought direction from the prime minister to enable the holding of a referendum regarding the establishment of a presidential form of government in Pakistan.

    The petition was filed by Tahir Aziz Khan, chairman of the political party Hum Awam Pakistan, under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution. One of the main objectives of the lesser-known political party was to establish a presidential form of government in the country.

    The petition was rejected as the registrar’s office objected that the petitioner had not pointed out the question of public importance in this case.

    “The petitioner did not approach any other forum available to him under the law for the same relief,” the SC office further said. “Petitioner did not justify invoking of extraordinary jurisdiction of this court under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution”

    The current chairman of this party, Muhammad Amjad Chaudhry, is also the founder of the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association and was given an award on January 27, 2021, by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Customs Day.