Summary
- Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has withdrawn electoral symbols from 13 political parties over violations of election laws and rules, including failure to hold intra-party elections.
- The latest action has reduced the number of political parties with recognized electoral symbols from 154 to 141.
- Under the law, parties must meet certain organisational and electoral requirements, including holding intra-party elections.
Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has withdrawn electoral symbols from 13 political parties over violations of election laws and rules, including failure to hold intra-party elections.
The latest action has reduced the number of political parties with recognized electoral symbols from 154 to 141.
According to an ECP notification, the affected parties include Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, Aam Awam Party, Roshan Pakistan League, Labour Qaumi Movement Pakistan, Pakistan Tribes Movement Parliamentarians, Move On Pakistan, Awami Tehreek Ilm Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Ittehad, Pakistan Aam Aadmi Movement, Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan, Pakistan Khidmat-e-Khalq League, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Sach and Pak League.
The commission has also issued a separate list of electoral symbols for 174 independent candidates.
The ECP said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had already lost its electoral symbol in an earlier action over similar legal and organisational issues.
The commission’s latest move forms part of its efforts to ensure that political parties comply with the Elections Act and related rules. Under the law, parties must meet certain organisational and electoral requirements, including holding intra-party elections.
The ECP is continuing its scrutiny of political parties’ compliance as the country prepares for upcoming local government and by-elections.
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