ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has acknowledged the concerns raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding an uneven playing field in the lead-up to the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.

In response, the electoral watchdog has issued a letter to provincial election commissioners, chief secretaries, and inspector-generals (IGs), instructing them to address the PTI’s grievances related to the mishandling of its candidates and challenges faced during the filing of nomination papers.

The letter highlighted that the ECP has received complaints about hindrances in the electoral process, including difficulties encountered by PTI candidates in submitting their nomination papers. Additionally, there were complaints about the snatching of nomination papers from PTI candidates. The election commission directed officials to resolve all complaints “in accordance with the law.”

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court (SC) issued instructions to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address the complaints raised by the PTI regarding an unfair playing field in the upcoming general elections in 2024. PTI chief Barrister Gohar Ali filed a petition in the apex court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, naming the federation of Pakistan through its secretary, Ministry of Interior, ECP, and chief secretaries of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Balochistan as respondents.

The petition alleged that his party was not being treated on an equal footing with other political parties. The petitioner urged the apex court to direct the respondents to ensure a level playing field for the PTI to ensure free and fair elections in the interest of justice.