ECP asks PM Khan to explain failure to hold intra-party poll

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan for failing to hold an intra-party election for the party leadership and sought a reply within 14 days.

The election commission said it is binding on all the political parties under the Election Act to hold intra-party elections within the prescribed time. The PTI had to file details of the intra-party election to the ECP on June 13, 2021 which it said had not been filed so far. A period not exceeding five years should lapse between two elections.

The regulator gave the Premier two weeks to respond on why the intra-party election had not been held and why the ECP should not hold the PTI ineligible from holding an election symbol in a future poll. Election symbols are a requirement for a political party to stand in elections, according to Section 215(1) of the Election Act 2017.