Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is set to contest the rejection of nomination papers for numerous candidates, including party founder Imran Khan, as the 2024 general elections approach. The move comes after a majority of PTI nominees faced disapproval during the scrutiny of nomination papers.
Raoof Hasan, the Party’s Central Information Secretary, stated that all rejected nomination papers would be formally challenged, adhering to the prescribed legal procedures. He added that the initial challenge would be presented before election tribunals, with further options explored subsequently.
PTI Central Punjab Additional General Secretary Sardar Azeemullah Khan urged all candidates to file appeals against the Returning Officers’ decisions. Some candidates are expected to file appeals through private lawyers, while others will receive assistance from the party.
Candidates who had their nomination papers rejected have collected certified copies of the “rejection decisions” from respective Returning Officers and are commencing the process of filing appeals with appellate tribunals.
The Election Commission of Pakistan had rejected scores of PTI nomination forms on December 30, triggering the party’s decision to challenge these rejections through appropriate channels.
Barrister Gohar Khan and Barrister Umair Khan Niazi are scheduled to meet with PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail to seek approval for the selection of party candidates and the subsequent awarding of tickets.
PTI leaders raised concerns about the conduct of Returning Officers, alleging a lack of independent decision-making and dependency on external directives. Instances of discrepancies, such as the revision of the list of valid candidates for NA-132 (Kasur-II), were cited as evidence of procedural irregularities.
In a separate initiative, PTI has launched a ‘WhatsApp’ account to gather video and pictorial evidence of “pre-poll rigging” in the lead-up to the elections. The party has encouraged the public to share details, pictures, and videos related to any observed pre-polling rigging.
