PTI


Mysterious intra-party election


In the light of the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the intra-party election of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf was held. But the procedure adopted in the election is completely contrary to the rules of intra-party election. That is why no political party or people are recognizing this election. Rather, there are signs of disagreement within the PTI itself. Most of the criticism has come from the founding members of PTI. Apart from them, the former leaders of PTI have also termed this election as a drama. Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan People's Party have also announced to challenge the said election.


The question is under which constitution these intra-party elections of PTI have been held. Because in June 2022, the Chief Election Commissioner of PTI appeared in the Election Commission of Pakistan and informed that the party's intra-party elections have been held. And also submitted the amendment in clause 5 of Article 5 of the party constitution 2019 in writing. Under this amendment, the procedure of voting and electoral college for intra-party election of the party was changed. The Election Commission of Pakistan, after reviewing the submitted documents related to this amendment, informed the PTI and pointed out certain objections and deficiencies and directed them to correct them. Apart from this, the party was also directed to provide an explanation regarding the new constitution.


Instead of being reminded twice by the Election Commission of Pakistan to clear this issue, in March 2023 PTI's lawyer Gohar Ali Khan and a representative of the party appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan and submitted about the said amendment. withdraw the documents and submit an affidavit stating that they are withdrawing all these documents. This meant that the intra-party elections held at that time, the new constitution and amendments were all nullified by the PTI itself. In this context, PTI has become bound to conduct immediate re-election of the party as per the party constitution 2019.


But this was not done which was a clear violation of the election rules. After looking at the rules regarding the election symbol of the party, intra-party election by the Election Commission of Pakistan and after the announcement of national elections, PTI applied again, which was heard and on 23 November 2023 Election Commission of Pakistan Pakistan, while announcing the decision, directed the PTI to hold intra-party elections within 20 days and then submit the results within a week.


The PTI announced to challenge the decision but then hastily called an intra-party election on December 2. In which neither the workers nor the candidates participating in the election were present except for the newly elected chairman. No one knows who voted and to whom in this so-called election and whether PTI workers are aware of this mysterious election and satisfied with the results. Akbar S. Babar, founder member of PTI, has announced to challenge this intra-party election of PTI in the Election Commission of Pakistan. However, the decision has to be taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan.


The statement of the newly elected chairman of PTI, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who was a lawyer of PTI, has made the intra-party election more suspicious and mysterious that the post of party chairman will remain with him till such time. That the former chairman does not come back and if the disqualification and cases against him are over, then he will become the party chairman again. ALLAH (SWT) only knows how long it will take. Another important thing is that if the elections are held on February 8, will the PTI workers vote for the PTI, recognizing the newly elected chairman? How will tickets be distributed? Will lawyers decide to give tickets to politicians for the first time in Pakistan?


The first thing is which politician will be on the PTI ticket who will contest the election. Who will be the voters and if the politicians are not found, will the ticket takers be the lawyers are some of the important questions that PTI should consider. Muslim League (N) has also termed this election as a thin spectacle and a fraud. The People's Party has raised the question that as a result of this fake election, the elected officials are in jail and often on the run, so will the Election Commission of Pakistan now allow the fugitives to participate in the election?


Ahmad Bilal, the head of non-governmental NGO PILDAT, which works for the promotion of democracy in Pakistan, has called PTI's intra-party election as controversial. In a statement, he said that neither voter list was given nor other roles were fulfilled nor Akbar S. Babar was given a chance to participate in the election, so how was this transparent election. Describing this election as the worst example of dictatorship, the Stability Pakistan Party has demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan to annul this fake election. Tehreek-e-Insaf parliamentarians termed this election as a drama and termed it as throwing dust in people's eyes. It is not known what will happen next, it depends on the decision of the election. It will be enough for those who understand to say about PTI "Now there are more tests of love".