Election Commission to Decide on Parties Failing to Report Election Expenses

Islamabad: The Election Commission has reserved its decision regarding several political parties' failure to submit details of their election expenses.

The matter was reviewed by a four-member bench led by Nisar Durrani. The commission has noted that key parties, including ANP, Move on Pakistan, People's Muslim League Pakistan, Pakistan Awami Raj, Awami Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Haq Du Tehreek Balochistan, and the People's League, have not provided the required financial disclosures.

Election Commission officials reported that despite multiple attempts to contact Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah of ANP, the party did not comply. The People's Muslim League contended that they did not incur expenses as they did not participate in the election, while Haq Du Tehreek Balochistan claimed they sent their details on June 28, but the commission did not receive them.

Of the 149 parties that participated in the election and were allotted symbols, seven have yet to submit their expense reports. The commission questioned why some parties, who did not conduct campaigns, still accepted election symbols. The regulations have been updated to extend the timeframe for independent candidates joining parties from three to fifteen days.

The Election Commission has issued a final show-cause notice to these parties, demanding the return of their election symbols if they do not comply. Officials suggested that withdrawing symbols may be the only recourse for those who fail to meet reporting requirements.

The commission will announce its decision on the matter after considering the submissions and responses of the involved parties.