Won’t boycott polls despite stripping of electoral symbol ‘bat’: PTI leader

Won’t boycott polls despite stripping of electoral symbol ‘bat’: PTI leader

Islamabad: PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan on Monday said that his party would not boycott the February 8 general elections despite being stripped of its iconic electoral symbol ‘bat’.

“The PTI will issue a list of supported candidates, with their respective electoral symbols, within three days,” said Gohar Khan while talking to the media. He also requested the nation to vote for the candidates nominated by the PTI in the upcoming elections.

Earlier the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed the proposal to postpone the general elections, emphasizing that the established polling date of February 8 was mutually determined with the President of Pakistan.

In a letter addressed to the Joint Secretary (Legislation) of the Senate, the ECP conveyed that it would not be prudent to postpone the general elections at this stage. Additionally, the resolution of the upper house of Parliament cannot be currently implemented.

“The ECP has already directed the caretaker government to ensure the maintenance of law and order during elections. This includes enhancing the security framework to create a favorable environment for peaceful and credible conduct of the 2024 general elections,” the electoral body said.

The letter stated that the ECP has made a commitment before the Supreme Court to conduct the general elections on February 8, 2024.