Election Commission says PkMAP failed to fulfil mandatory legal requirements, while four political parties were removed from the official register over repeated violations of election laws.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to recognise veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), citing the party’s failure to conduct mandatory intra-party elections. In a separate action, the commission also removed four political parties from its official register for violating election laws.
A five-member ECP bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard the case regarding PkMAP’s non-compliance with legal requirements, including the absence of intra-party elections, amendments to the party constitution, and concerns over its financial accounts.
During the proceedings, the commission questioned the validity of the power of attorney submitted by the party’s legal counsel. The lawyer informed the bench that the document had been signed by Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
However, the Chief Election Commissioner observed that the party currently has no officially recognised chairman because it failed to hold intra-party elections as required under Pakistan’s election laws. As a result, the commission refused to recognise Achakzai as the party head for the purpose of the proceedings.
The ECP stated that the power of attorney would remain on record, but a separate order would determine whether it would be formally accepted. At the request of the party’s counsel, the commission granted additional time to prepare arguments and adjourned the hearing until August 19.
In a separate enforcement action, the ECP delisted four political parties from its official register: Technology Movement Pakistan, Awami Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Hum Awam Pakistan Party, and Pakistan Reform Party.
According to official notifications, the parties were removed after failing to conduct mandatory intra-party elections, submit annual financial statements, and comply with other legal obligations required under the Elections Act.
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