Imran Khan's party PTI loses cricket bat electoral symbol
Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to retain its traditional electoral symbol of a cricket bat. This ruling adds to the challenges faced by the incarcerated leader in the lead-up to the general election.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa announced the decision live on television, citing the PTI's failure to conduct intraparty elections, a prerequisite for political parties to participate in the national election.
The Election Commission of Pakistan had initially imposed the ban on PTI's use of the cricket bat symbol in December, prompting the party to challenge the decision in the nation's highest court.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, PTI expressed dissatisfaction, stating in a released statement, 'This, by far, is the worst decision impacting millions of voters.' PTI Chairman Gohar Khan noted that the party's candidates would now have to run as independents in the upcoming national elections.
With Pakistan's population standing at 241 million, and certain areas grappling with high illiteracy rates, the absence of the cricket bat symbol raises concerns among PTI officials. They fear that without this familiar symbol, some Pakistani voters may struggle to identify PTI candidates on the ballot.
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