In a marathon hearing that concluded late Saturday night, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party’s emblematic bat symbol. This verdict came just before the ECP’s deadline for candidates to submit party tickets for upcoming elections, adding a last-minute twist to the political landscape.
The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, deliberated for several hours before announcing the judgement at 11:15 PM. In his remarks, Chief Justice Isa emphasized the importance of democratic processes, stating, “Democracy founded Pakistan, a fundamental aspect of which is the ability to put oneself forward as a candidate and to be able to vote… Anything less would give rise to authoritarianism which may lead to dictatorship.”
The court’s decision stemmed from an appeal filed by the ECP challenging the Peshawar High Court’s reversal of its initial decision to revoke the bat symbol. The ECP had argued that PTI’s lack of proper intra-party elections violated election laws. The Supreme Court, in its final judgement, concurred with the ECP, finding no evidence that genuine internal polls were held.
The court acknowledged the ECP’s role as a constitutional body tasked with upholding electoral integrity. It emphasized that the ECP’s actions were not discriminatory towards PTI and cited similar decisions taken against other political parties. However, the court also cautioned against dismissing challenges to internal elections based on minor irregularities, highlighting the importance of transparency and due process in party affairs.
The judgement specifically addressed complaints by 14 PTI members alleging irregularities in the party’s election process. The court criticized the ECP for brushing aside these complaints without proper investigation and highlighted the lack of proper nomination procedures for these members. Additionally, the court questioned the shifting venues for the internal elections, raising concerns about transparency.
While acknowledging the ECP’s authority to oversee internal elections, the court emphasized the need for legal basis for such intervention. It rejected PTI’s argument that the ECP lacked jurisdiction and cautioned against rendering election laws regarding internal polls meaningless.
The verdict has sparked mixed reactions, with PTI supporters expressing disappointment and some legal experts raising concerns about its impact on democratic principles. Faisal Siddiqui, a senior lawyer, compared the decision to a previous controversial ruling linked to “political engineering” in 2018 elections.
The Supreme Court’s decision undoubtedly throws a wrench into PTI’s campaign plans for upcoming elections. With the iconic bat symbol no longer available, the party faces the challenge of rallying its supporters under a new banner and navigating the political landscape without its familiar symbol.
This revised version focuses on the core details of the case, avoids overly technical jargon, and presents different perspectives on the verdict without taking sides. It also maintains a neutral tone while providing context and potential implications of the decision.
