Imran calls on supporters to thwart electoral fraud

PTI core committee renews call for the immediate release of its election symbol, the 'Bat'

LAHORE:

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday urged party workers and the masses to prepare for the upcoming elections slated for Feb 8, asserting that the vote was their fundamental constitutional, legal, and democratic right.

In a message conveyed through the party's core committee, the ex-PTI chairman highlighted the sanctity of the electoral process. He urged citizens to safeguard their right to vote and ensure its secure exercise.

However, he cautioned his supporters against any attempts to compromise the transparency of the electoral proceedings.

The incarcerated leader’s statement came a day after the party held a virtual rally amid country-wide internet disruptions which, the supporters and the party alleged, was part of the ongoing crackdown to undercut PTI’s prospects to regain power.

Imran has been in prison since August on charges of leaking classified documents. He claims these accusations were fabricated to prevent him from running in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.

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Reiterating his concerns about the manipulation of the election on Monday, Imran said that the postponement of elections or any assault on their integrity would be detrimental to the nation. He called upon PTI workers and the people of Pakistan to collaboratively thwart any potential threats to the electoral process.

The former premier declared that those seeking to plunge Pakistan into chaos and lawlessness would not succeed in defeating his party and its steadfast supporters in the forthcoming elections.

Demand for ‘Bat’

Meanwhile, the PTI core committee reiterated its demand to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to immediately release the party's election symbol, the "Bat."

The committee argued that since the party has conducted transparent intra-party elections, the ECP lacked constitutional and legal justification to withhold PTI’s symbol. They urged the electoral watchdog to prioritise issuing the political identity of millions of voters by restoring the symbol of the "bat."

Expressing contentment over the successful organisation of the historic virtual public rally—the first of its kind in the nation's political history—the core committee expressed gratitude to the rally's organisers, particularly acknowledging the efforts of the official social media team and overseas chapters' workers.

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Despite state attempts to tamper with internet and social media platforms, the committee thanked the millions of participants from around the world, condemning any efforts to deter public engagement in this ground-breaking virtual event.

Highlighting the resilience and popularity of PTI, the committee emphasised that the record-setting rally's success, even in the absence of Imran Khan due to imprisonment, serves as a testament to the party's active and dedicated membership.

The core committee confidently asserted that the public's unprecedented participation in the virtual meeting foreshadows the outcome of the elections slated for February 8, 2024.

Undeterred by challenges such as oppression, fascism, and a potentially non-transparent environment, the core committee declared that PTI has officially initiated its election campaign through this virtual meeting.

Instead of succumbing to fear, they expressed determination to enter the electoral arena with thorough preparation and unwavering resolve, anticipating unprecedented success with the grace of Allah.