The PTI expressed its dissatisfaction on Saturday after encountering widespread rejections of its candidates’ nomination papers, including that of its founder Imran Khan, for the upcoming general elections as the final day of the scrutiny phase lapsed. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had announced that Imran would contest the upcoming polls from three constituencies of Lahore, Mianwali and Islamabad. However, nominations for Mianwali and Islamabad were also rejected. Reasons for the rejection included Imran’s proposer not being a voter from NA-122, Imran being a convict on the allegation of dishonesty and his conviction still standing whereby he has also been disqualified by the ECP for five years. Ultimately, Imran’s nomination papers from NA-122 were rejected. In addition, a number of other senior PTI leaders’ nomination papers were also reportedly rejected. The party alleged widespread misconduct by ROs towards its candidates and their proposers.
PTI leaders have condemned the rejection of their nomination papers and have expressed their intention to challenge the rejections in the courts. Apart from Imran, a number of other senior PTI leaders’ nomination papers were also reportedly rejected, with the party alleging widespread misconduct by ROs towards its candidates and their proposers. The PTI said that almost 90 per cent of the nominations from its important leaders were rejected.
Various political figures also expressed their surprise and concern over the rejection of nomination papers and alleged interference in the election process. These included Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Sheikh Rashid, and academic and activist Dr. Ammar Ali Jan. Salman Masood, Pakistan’s correspondent for the New York Times, also noted that the PTI’s top tier was affected by a “massive, unprecedented wave of rejections”.