ECP refuses to allot 'eagle' symbol to IPP

Commission links its retention by APML to holding of intra-party polls

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allotted election symbols to 23 political parties for the upcoming general polls, but the request of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) for a specific symbol was rejected. A four-member commission, led by ECP Sindh's Nisar Durrani, heard the requests for election symbols.

The commission suggested the election symbol of a sparrow to the IPP, as the symbol of an eagle, which the IPP had requested, was already held by the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), founded by the late military ruler, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. However, the IPP's request for the eagle symbol was later rejected by the commission.

The registration of the IPP is still pending, and the ECP has asked the party to provide relevant documents for the process.

Meanwhile, the commission allotted various symbols to other political parties, including a sword to the PPP, a book to JUI-F, a ring to Rabita Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam, a cup to People's Muslim League, a bucket to Kissan Ittehad, a moon to Hazara Democratic Party, a hockey to Pakistan Awami League, a knife to Pakistan Tehreek Insaniat, a missile to Pakistan Aman Tehreek, a revolver to Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-Pakistan, a victory sign to PPP (Shaheed Bhutto), a waistcoat to Tehreek-e-Darveshan Pakistan, a takhti to JUI Nazaryati, a helmet to Jadeed Pakistan Party, a telephone to Tehreek-e-Awam Pakistan, and a jug to Allah-O-Akbar Tehreek.

The PPP's request for the election symbol of a sword was granted by the commission. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari expressed that obtaining the symbol used by his maternal grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was an honor for party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

For the APML, the retention of the election symbol of an eagle was made conditional to holding intra-party polls. The APML assured the commission that it would conduct its intra-party elections within 40 days.

Overall, the ECP's allocation of election symbols to various parties is a crucial step in the preparation for the upcoming general polls. As the parties gear up for the elections, the significance of the symbols goes beyond mere representation, as they hold historical and symbolic value for the parties and their leaders.