KARACHI:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a show-cause notice to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for failing to fulfil the legal requirements for holding intra-party elections within the extended deadline of October 15, 2026.
According to the notice issued on October 26, the electoral watchdog said MQM-P had failed to conduct its intra-party elections within the prescribed extended period.
The ECP stated that the regular election of political party office-bearers was a legal requirement under the Elections Act, 2017, which made intra-party elections mandatory.
The notice further stated that political parties were required to submit an election certificate to the commission within seven days of holding intra-party elections.
The commission gave MQM-P 14 days to respond to the show-cause notice, warning that further action would be taken in accordance with the law if the party failed to submit its response.
The ECP also warned that failure to conduct intra-party elections could render MQM-P ineligible to obtain an electoral symbol.
The commission further stated that the party’s electoral symbol could also be withheld for future elections if it failed to comply with the legal requirements.
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On April 7, the ECP rejected MQM-P’s request for a two-month extension to hold its intra-party elections, with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) questioning the grounds for delay and warning of serious consequences for non-compliance.
A three-member bench headed by the CEC heard the case pertaining to MQM-P’s intra-party polls. Officials from the ECP’s Political Finance Wing, along with party representatives, appeared before the commission.
During the proceedings, the CEC asked, “What war is being fought in Pakistan? We cannot grant two months,” directing that convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui or his lawyer must appear at the next hearing, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to serious repercussions.
Director General Political Finance Masood Sherwani informed the bench that MQM-P last conducted intra-party elections on October 16, 2021, while under its party constitution, fresh elections were required by October 16, 2025.
