ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to postpone its intra-party polls, originally scheduled for February 5, as the party members are actively engaged in their election campaigns for the upcoming general elections in 2024, according to media reports.
The announcement to hold intra-party polls after the general election was made by PTI and a new schedule for these internal elections will be revealed once the ongoing election activities conclude.
Federal Election Commissioner Raoof Hassan released the schedule for the intra-party polls on PTI’s official X account just a day earlier. However, the decision to delay the polls comes as party members are fully committed to their roles and responsibilities in the ongoing election campaigns.
This development follows a previous decision by the electoral watchdog, which revoked PTI’s electoral symbol ‘bat’ in response to a petition filed by founding member Akbar S Babar challenging the intra-party elections for non-compliance with rules.
PTI sought relief from the Peshawar High Court, which initially nullified the electoral body’s decision. However, the relief was short-lived as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) filed a review, accepted by a two-member bench of the PHC.
Subsequently, PTI took the matter to the Supreme Court, but the high court’s decision was upheld. The postponement of intra-party polls appears to be a strategic move in light of the party’s current focus on the upcoming general elections.
