ECP defers verdict on petition challenging PTI intra-party polls till Dec 13

LAHORE: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today (Tuesday) deferred announcement of its judgment for second time on a petition challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party elections.

The verdict has been postponed till December 13 owing to absence of an ECP official, Abdul Ghafoor.

On similar grounds, the country’s top electoral body delayed announcement of verdict a week ago.

During the hearing today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said the verdict is to be announced on December 13.

The petition has been filed by PTI’s former Swabi chapter general Secretary Yousuf Ali on June 22 seeking revocation of PTI’s intra-party elections’ results.

The petitioner’s lawyer had earlier contended that the PTI had held‘dummy’ intra-party polls which was sheer violation of the party constitution.

The petitioner adopted a stance that the PTI had amended the party constitution on May 13 and the intra-party elections were held on June 12, alleging that the PTI had not completed the legal formalities to amend the constitution.

He added that the party’s constitution can only be changed if there is a two-thirds majority from the Central Executive Council.