MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday said it has rejected the application of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Azad Jammu and Kashmir(AJK) for registration after citing violations related to financial irregularities.
According to a press release issued by the Election Commission spokesperson, PTI AJK had submitted its application for registration in light of the Supreme Court judgment and relevant election laws.
In connection with the examination of the application, the Election Commission appointed an Audit Officer to audit the political parties’ accounts in accordance with the relevant laws and rules, so that the submitted accounts and financial documents could be reviewed.
The Audit Officer pointed out in his report that the applicant party has violated Rule 121 of the Election Rules in the details of financial affairs and accounts, the AJK’s electoral body said.
In light of the above objections, the commission referred the matter to the Audit Officer for re-examination at PTI’s request. After re-examination, the Audit Officer again rejected the violation of Rule 121 and the objections related to the accounts in his report.
“Later, the Election Commission provided a full opportunity for a personal hearing to the representatives of PTI Azad Kashmir and their counsel.”
After a detailed review of the arguments of the parties and the available record, the Election Commission came to the conclusion that the applicant party has failed to fulfill the requirements of Rule 121, the press release added.
The Election Commission said it then decided to reject the application for registration of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf based on the violation of the rules and non-fulfillment of the legal requirements related to accounts.
“The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reiterates that the registration and supervision of all political parties is carried out in accordance with the Constitution and law, based on transparency and equality,” it concluded.
PTI’s reaction to the decision
In a statement, the opposition party termed the “move unconstitutional and undemocratic” and announced an immediate legal challenge before the higher judiciary.
President PTI’s regional chapter and former Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi has said that the Election Commission’s decision is against all the basic principles of justice and alleged that the move is not only an unconstitutional act but also undemocratic.
Niazi alleged that the decision was part of a deliberate attempt to keep PTI out of the electoral process ahead of the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections.
He said the Election Commission had “played a political game” to exclude PTI from the polls, adding that such actions would make the upcoming elections controversial and raise serious questions about their constitutional and democratic credibility.
“The people of Azad Kashmir and Imran Khan’s supporters should not be worried. We will go to the elections in any case and will not be intimidated by such low tactics,” he said.
