The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday directed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz — a major partner of the ruling coalition — to hold intra-party elections by March 14.

A five-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, heard a case regarding the intra-party elections of political parties.

According to Section 208 of the Elections Act, all political parties are required to elect office-bearers at the federal, provincial and local levels, wherever applicable, periodically in accordance with the Constitution of the respective political party.

“Provided that a period, not exceeding five years, shall intervene between any two elections,” a proviso to section 208(1) of the act reads.

Under the law, a political party was also required to publish the updated list of its central office-bearers and executive committee members, by whatever name called, on its website and send the list and any subsequent change in it to the election commission.

At the outset of the hearing, PML-N counsel Ahsan Jahangir informed the commission that the intra-party polls had been delayed as Shehbaz Sharif was occupied with a number of responsibilities since becoming the prime minister.

ECP member retired Justice Ikramullah Khan said that the commission had been reminding the party for a long time to hold elections.

Another member of the commission, Babar Bharwana, remarked the electoral symbol of the party would be withdrawn if elections were not held by Jan 31.

The counsel sought time till Jan 31 to ensure compliance with the commission’s order.

Jahangir said the party will do the needful and requested the commission not to withdraw the symbol of the party.

CEC Raja remarked that a person who was so busy that he could not hold intra-party elections should not be the party president.

After listening to the arguments, the ECP chief said the PML-N must hold the elections within two months.

Opinion

Editorial

New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.
Ceasefire, finally
Updated 26 Mar, 2024

Ceasefire, finally

Palestinian lives matter, and a generation of orphaned Gazan children will be looking to the world community to secure justice for them.
Afghan return
26 Mar, 2024

Afghan return

FOLLOWING a controversial first repatriation phase involving ‘illegal’ Afghan refugees last November, the...
Planes and plans
26 Mar, 2024

Planes and plans

FOR the past many years, PIA has been getting little by way of good press, mostly on account of internal...