Election Commission of Pakistan directs PML-N to hold intra-party polls till 14th March

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday gave more time to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for holding the much-delayed intra-party elections.

A bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja directed the PML-N to hold the elections till March 14 after hearing arguments from the lawyer of the political party.

During the hearing, the lawyer said the intra-party polls were delayed due to some circumstances, adding that elections of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who is PML-N president, as prime minister was one of the factors. He said that party Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry would return to Pakistan from Geneva from Jan 14, adding that the polls would be held by Jan 31.

To which, ECP Punjab Member Babar Hassan Bharwana remarked the electoral symbol of the party would be withdrawn if elections were not held on Jan 31.

The CEC remarked that someone else should be made party president if Shehbaz Sharif was busy in political activities, adding that the electoral body could grant more time if valid reasons are submitted.

He also remarked that party elections held by political parties except some are “joke”. “At least PML-N should hold such polls half-heartedly”.