ECP Releases List of 175 Parties, Leaves PTI Leadership Blank

ISLAMABAD: The most recent list of political parties authorized to run in the forthcoming general election, set for February 8, 2024, was made public by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday.

The list contains 175 political parties. But the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leader’s name is not included in the appropriate box.

The PTI’s intra-party elections earlier ruled invalid by the ECP. The ECP concluded that the polls were divisive and objectionable, and that the PTI had failed to hold free and fair elections within the party.

In the Islamabad High Court, the PTI had contested the ECP’s ruling; however, the court rejected the petition and upheld the ECP’s conclusion.

PTI Parliamentarians. A branch of the PTI headed by former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak, are also included on the ECP’s list. Following the events of May 9. The PTI Parliamentarians broke away from the PTI. And declared themselves to supported by most of the PTI’s members in the National Assembly and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly.

Also Read: Thick Fog Blankets Punjab: all air and road traffic is suspended

Other significant political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Awami National Party. And Balochistan Awami Party-Mengal, are also included on the ECP’s list.

Following a consultative meeting between Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and President Dr. Arif Alvi, the ECP had earlier announced the election schedule.

The schedule stipulated that the candidates had until Sunday, December 24, 2023, as the last day to turn in their nomination papers.

The nomination papers will examined by the ECP from December 25 to December 29. And on January 5, 2024, the final list of candidates will released.

By January 7, 2024, the candidates may withdraw their nomination papers. On January 8, 2024, the ECP will assign election symbols to the candidates.

February 8, 2024 is when the polls will held, and February 6, 2024 is when the election campaign will conclude.

A code of conduct for candidates, political parties. The media, and observers has also released by the ECP.

In addition, the ECP has prohibited the posting or transfer of public servants until after the election is over.

According to its statements. The ECP is dedicated to making sure that the nation holds free. Fair, and transparent elections.