The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to revoke the PTI’s ‘bat’ electoral symbol for the February 8 general election, following a reserved verdict announced a day after the Peshawar High Court directed the ECP to make a decision on PTI’s intra-party polls and electoral symbol. The ECP had assured the PTI that it would address its concerns, but ultimately declared the party ineligible to obtain the election symbol due to the party’s failure to comply with directions and hold intra-party elections in accordance with the party’s constitution and election laws. The PTI has reacted strongly to the decision, calling it part of the “famous London Plan” and a “disgusting and shameful attempt to stop PTI from [participating in the] election.” PTI has announced plans to appeal the decision and its candidates would still contest the polls with the ‘bat’ symbol. Former ECP secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad stated that the party’s candidates would have to contest the general elections as independent candidates and that the party had the option to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.