ISLAMABAD: As general elections are approaching in Pakistan, the road is becoming tough for former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s top leadership as they face rejection of nomination papers by the Election Commission. Have to face.
In the latest such case, nomination papers of dozens of PTI candidates including PTI chief and founder Imran Khan have been rejected by the returning officers during scrutiny. The rejected candidates include almost all top PTI leaders, forcing them to file an appeal before the court for approval of their nominations.
On the other hand, where papers of PTI candidates are being rejected on various grounds; The path to victory seems to be getting easier for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the nomination papers of former Prime Minister and PML-N founder Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have been approved by the Returning Officer.
However, a PTI lawyer has challenged the acceptance of Sharif’s papers and raised an objection under Section 63 of the Election Act.
The acceptance of the nomination papers of one party and the rejection of the nomination papers of its opposition party marks an important stage in the electoral process. The rejected candidates have now moved to the High Court, which has started accepting appeals against the approval and rejection of papers for both National and Provincial Assembly seats.
An ECP spokesperson confirmed that several PTI candidates have filed appeals in tribunals consisting of high court judges challenging their rejection by the returning officers.
According to the data, out of a total of 25,951 nomination papers scrutinized across the country, at least 3,000 nomination papers have been rejected, most of which are from PTI candidates.
According to the ECP, a total of 22,711 nomination papers were accepted, while at least 1,024 nomination papers for National Assembly seats and 2,216 for provincial assemblies were rejected.
Additionally, legal proceedings against high-profile political figures are having a major impact on the electoral process. Imran Khan is behind bars in various cases of corruption and the attacks on installations of the powerful military establishment on May 9, 2023. He has not only seen his government ousted, but also the apparent purge and disintegration of his party through mass arrests, detentions, legal cases and pressure. As a result of which many top leaders separated.
Imran Khan’s anti-incumbency story and his arrest on 9 May 2023 resulting in angry protests and riots in Islamabad has created a disastrous situation for his leadership and contesting the upcoming elections.
And this is clearly reflected in the way Khan and his political leadership are being treated, which is now represented more by lawyers and rights activists than by politicians.
Analysts say the way PTI has been treated has left it emasculated and kept away from a strong representation in the upcoming general elections, and given the fact that it is still a serious political force and has the right to contest elections as a popular party. Due to nationwide support among the public, serious reservations arise about the transparency of the elections and allegations that the elections are not free and fair may arise.
