On March 3, PTI will have internal party elections

As per the schedule published by the party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will conduct new intra-party elections on March 3.

The timetable states that nomination papers for the intra-party elections may be filed on February 23 and 24, and that paperwork will be reviewed on February 25.

PTI intra-party election decisions pertaining to candidacy papers will be made by February 27 at the latest, with polling taking place on March 3. All provincial secretariats, including the central office, will have polling.

Both PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub and Chairman Barrister Gohar declined to join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). According to sources, Gohar and Ayub will both participate in the assembly as independent members.

Ayub is a contender for general secretary, and Gohar is running for chairman.

Before, the party decided to push back the new inter-party elections till after February 8, even though PTI had already announced the schedule for them on February 2.

The decision was made in light of the members’ alleged “unlawful blocking of PTI venues by the administration” and their responsibilities to their individual constituencies.

The Supreme Court had deprived the party of its emblem before to the elections, confirming the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling that the PTI’s internal polls were “unconstitutional.”

As a result, the party was forced to run as independent candidates under new insignia after losing its famous “bat” electoral symbol. Moreover, PTI gave up its claim to seats that were earmarked for minorities and women.

Following the February 8 general elections, a considerable number of independent candidates supported by the PTI won. But in order to win reserved seats, the party had to form an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as a result of the changed political climate.