PTI in two minds about local poll concerns

E-Paper | June 04, 2026

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab chapter may write a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to express its reservations against the “manner of holding the upcoming local elections.”

The PTI had plans to send its letter to the Punjab Election Commissioner on Tuesday but held it back following party’s stance against the four provincial members of the ECP. “If the party will be campaigning against the Punjab Election Commissioner demanding his removal from the office, how it can write a letter to him for holding free and fair elections,” a source privy to the development told Dawn.

Sources say the PTI has rejected the holding of indirect elections on reserved seats. In an All-Opposition Parties Conference, the opposition parties had decided to file joint petitions against the holding of indirect election on reserved seats.

Sources say the PTI also rejects holding of local elections in three phases and upon insistence of the Supreme Court demands that the elections should not be held in selected districts of different divisions. Rejecting pick and choose policy, the PTI Punjab wants that the elections should be held on divisions’ basis in three phases.

It is also learnt that the letter also includes a demand that the Election Commission should investigate the issuance of development funds to the PML-N candidates ahead of local elections that is tantamount to pre-poll rigging.

Sources claim the PTI is also demanding that the elections should be held under the direct supervision of the Rangers instead of the Punjab bureaucracy to ensure transparency.

The PTI Punjab also wants to warn that it could boycott the local elections, if its genuine demands are not met. However, the party could not reach the consensus till the filing of this report.

PTI Punjab deputy organiser Omar Sarfraz Cheema confirmed that the PTI Punjab was ready to send a letter to the Punjab Election Commissioner on Tuesday but stopped due to his controversial position along with other three provincial members of the ECP. “The PTI Punjab will make further consultations on Thursday (today) and then decide about sending the letter,” Mr Cheema said.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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Mansoor Malik is a reporter for Dawn with three decades of experience covering politics, governance, legislation, education, and health. He can be found on X at @mansoor691.

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Faisal Ashraf

Aug 27, 2015 10:37am

What Rubbish PTI is? Is anything left where PTI has no reservation and concerns. IK be mature now please for God Sake....

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Aug 27, 2015 10:44am

Confused party with confused leaders.

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Sam I Am

Aug 27, 2015 10:58am

PTI knows it cannot win without the support of third umpire. It wants everyone to play by its rules. What a disappointment Imran Khan and his lotas have been.

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Khi92

Aug 27, 2015 11:07am

@Faisal Ashraf What problem do you have? Do you want fair elections or pick and choose selection? Problem in the country is people like you. This confusion would keep arising until the system is corrected. Go ahead PTI for genuine demands!

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Cyrus

Aug 27, 2015 11:07am

PTI is expecting a huge election coup, but it does begin with local elections and organization.

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RIAZ ULLAH BAIG

Aug 27, 2015 11:10am

@Faisal Ashraf You do not seem to be willing to confess that nothing is order in this system. PTI is trying to bring fundamental reforms to improve the functioning of the whole system, which requires an overall overhauling of the system.

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Umar

Aug 27, 2015 11:36am

@Faisal Ashraf because we do not have the culture to show concern on anything. we are the people to let the things, how they are, what they are

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Aug 27, 2015 12:00pm

They know they are gona loose miserably & these are the political tactics to claim later that they have raised it earlier.....

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Fayzee

Aug 27, 2015 12:32pm

If PTI boycotts the local elections, then it is gone for ever. Remember, when the next general election will be held, the same local governments will be in power - And that makes a big big difference. So, PTI should not do such a blunder.. But sorry, one can expect anything from it.

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Ayaz khan

Aug 27, 2015 12:43pm

why PTI itself did not hold local elections in the supervision of rangers in our KPK? why did PTI issued funds to its own mpas in KPK before local elections. if PTI can not hold peaceful elections in our smaller KPK in one phase then why they expect PMLN to hold peaceful elections in much larger Punjab in one phase? PTI good for nothing but only crying

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Ashraf Choudhry

Aug 27, 2015 01:54pm

N resolve to challenge PTI in reelection has caused real panic and they must not be allowed to run away on petty excuse.You can not be fool all for all the time. Show courage and face reality.No need to hide or seek refuge.Prove your claims .With best wishes.

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Thechange

Aug 27, 2015 03:51pm

The only stable head is Ch Sarwar in PTI. The known leaders seem to have a problem or a petsonality complex . For example it looked pretty silly for Tareen to say he bowled the hat trick ball for "Khan sahib". Petty I would say.

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azmat

Aug 27, 2015 08:51pm

@Ayaz khan Did N league demand KP elections to be held under rangers? No. PTI even offered to conduct re-elections under rangers and the 2nd phase was carried out under the Army and PTI secured a better percentage of votes then before. Why did you not accept PTI's offer of re-elections?

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Aik_Paki

Aug 28, 2015 02:36am

@Faisal Ashraf You got an overall corrupt system. That is why Pakistanis are facing all the hardships. Think beyond part lines and do some thing good for the nation.

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