Top poll body refuses to accept applications of Imran Khan’s party candidates on ‘Batsman’ symbol pending Supreme Court decision on ‘Bat’

Pakistan’s top poll body on Saturday ordered refused to accept applications from candidates of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party seeking to fight the February 8 general elections on another party’s symbol.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is anticipating that the Supreme Court might suspend the Peshawar High Court (PHC) decision that has allowed the cricket 'bat' election symbol to its candidates and hence asked them to apply for the ‘Batsman’ symbol of PTI-Nazriati (PTI-N) as plan B.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered the returning officers to reject those applications even as the Supreme Court held a day-long hearing on the appeal of the ECP on Saturday seeking suspension of the PHC decision.

The SC is yet to announce its decision but seeing the 'mood' of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa, who is hearing the case, the PTI went in for Plan B to stay in the contest for the February 8 polls.

“If the bat is denied, the PTI could inculcate easily in the voters’ minds to stamp on the batsman,” the party said.

“The PTI has issued PTI-Nariati tickets to all its national and provincial assemblies’ candidates.