PTI-Nazriati head distances himself from PTI

LAHORE: As political turmoil simmers ahead of Feb 8 general elections, PTI-Nazriati Chairman Akhtar Iqbal Dar has distanced himself from issuing his party tickets to Imran Khan-led PTI, accusing the latter’s candidates of submitting ‘fake’ party tickets to returning officers (ROs), ARY News reported on Saturday.

The remarks came hours after embattled  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – sensing danger of losing its iconic symbol ‘bat’ – chalked out a Plan B by ordering its candidates to submit nominations under the PTI-Nazriati group, whose election symbol is ‘batsman.’

In a post on X, PTI’s official account said: “Whoever has PTI-Nazriati tickets should immediately submit them and take any kind of hindrance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and high courts.”

The party issued the directives while the Supreme Court heard ECP’s petition challenging the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision to restore the PTI’s electoral symbol, the “bat”.

However, the ‘plan B’ of Imran Khan-led PTI seemingly going to fail as the PTI-Nazriati head said he did not issue tickets to the former party candidates.

Addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club, Akhtar Iqbal Dar said he was surprised seeing PTI candidates with his political party’s tickets appearing before the returning officers (ROs) as he did not award them.

He noted that they will provide a verified list of PTI-N candidates to the returning officers (ROs) to avoid confusion. Dar clarified that his party allotted the same tickets to its candidates that had been issued in the previous 2018 general elections.

“We have our own manifesto and constitution, as well as a separate electoral symbol depicting ‘batsman’,” he said, adding that clarifying that PIT-N has not signed an agreement with any Imran Khan-led PTI.

Citing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) instructions, PTI-Nazriati head said that candidates, who are already members of a political party, cannot contest polls on symbol of another party.

Responding to rumors, Akhtar Iqbal revealed that the distinguishing mark on their tickets is the unmistakable ‘batsman’ symbol. “It is the ECP’s core responsibility to trace fraudulent schemes of these candidates,” he added.

He further said that over years, he felt that transparency and honesty did not exist in the Imran-led PTI which led to distancing himself from the previous party.

ECP’s instructions

The ECP barred the returning officers (ROs) from allotting ‘alternative symbol’ to such candidates, seeking election symbol of other political parties.

In the order, the election commission clarified the legal stance on reports of PTI’s symbol being utilized as a ‘batsman’ emphasising the need for adherence to electoral regulations.

“Numerous applications from candidates, attempting to manipulate the system, have flooded the Election Commission, prompting concerns of deception and violations of electoral laws,” it said.

The ECP’s order explicitly states that candidates, who are already members of a political party, are prohibited from requesting the symbol of another party, directing returning officers (ROs) not to grant any alternative election symbol to such candidates.

Referring to the Election Act, it highlighted that a candidate must present a party affiliation certificate, emphasising that an individual cannot simultaneously belong to more than one political party.

The Commission reiterated the importance of following legal procedures, citing the Supreme Court decision in the Habib Akram case.

“Violation of Section 66 of the Election Act, 2017, was emphasized by the spokesperson, underscoring that candidates submitting incomplete nomination papers, particularly those neglecting to submit the required affidavit, will face rejection,” it added.

The Election Commission emphasised that candidates must bear the consequences for any false statements made in the affidavit attached to their nomination papers.