KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a show-cause notice to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for failing to conduct its intra-party elections by the extended deadline of October 15, 2026.
According to the notice issued on October 26, the commission said the party had not fulfilled the legal requirement to hold regular elections for its office-bearers within the prescribed period.
The ECP stated that the Elections Act, 2017, makes intra-party elections mandatory for political parties. It also requires parties to submit an election certificate to the commission within seven days of completing the process.
14-Day Deadline
The commission has directed MQM-P to submit its response within 14 days, warning that further action could be taken under the law if the party fails to comply.
The ECP also cautioned that failure to conduct intra-party elections could make the party ineligible to obtain an electoral symbol. Its symbol could also be withheld for future elections if it does not fulfil the legal requirements.
Previous Extension Rejected
The latest notice follows an earlier decision by the ECP to reject MQM-P’s request for a two-month extension to hold its intra-party elections.
On April 7, a three-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner heard the matter. Officials from the commission’s Political Finance Wing and representatives of the party appeared during the proceedings.
During the hearing, the Chief Election Commissioner questioned the reasons for the delay and said the commission could not grant the requested extension without sufficient justification. He also directed that MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui or his lawyer appear at the next hearing, warning of serious consequences in case of non-compliance.
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Elections Overdue
During the proceedings, Director General Political Finance Masood Sherwani informed the commission that MQM-P had last held intra-party elections on October 16, 2021.
He said the party’s constitution required it to conduct fresh elections by October 16, 2025.
The latest show-cause notice places the party under further pressure to fulfil the legal requirements and explain its failure to hold the elections within the extended timeframe.
