ECP reserves judgement, sources say JI will probably get the fought-after symbol. DESIGN: SIDRAH MOIZ KHAN
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formally applied to the Election Commission of Pakistan last year in a bid to reserve Tarazoo (scale) as party symbol for the upcoming general elections. After hearing arguments from both sides, the commission reserved judgment on Friday.
Analysts say the PTI is likely to lose the legal battle to JI for the symbol. JI lawyers came prepared with convincing arguments centered on file date and historical context.
The JI filed their application on April 16, 2012, while the PTI filed later in June. Therefore, lawyers said the JI should be given preference. Furthermore, the symbol has been allotted to Jamaat-e-Islami in the past. When the JI took part in the 1970 general elections following the separation of East Pakistan, scale was its symbol. Even later, the JI contested polls as a part of an alliance of religious parties (like the MMA in 2002).
The JI lawyers also mentioned that scale was taken out of the list of election symbols in the 80’s by military ruler General Ziaul Haq.
Alternatively, the PTI lawyers said scale is a symbolic depiction of the party’s name, which means “movement for justice”. They added that the PTI had previously taken part in an election in Gilgit-Baltistan using this symbol. However, as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have their own electoral system and do not fall under the ECP, sources say this point will hold no weight.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (27)
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very sad for all of us
we would like to request to the Election commission of Pakistan to allot the Scale to PTI as for their idealogy, their name & manifisto etc, while Mashaal (tourch) to JI as fro their idealogy, their manifisto etc, We will obejct on BAT, because it will not good for Party's idealogy.
@janan: It won't go good with coastal towns.
PTI and JI should make a coalition and have a common party symbol.
The PTI should use tsunami as it symbol!
PTI symbol>>>UTURN
Their symbol is tsunami bhai. Tola choro tsunami pakro ya yeh bhi Qadri sb leh jayein geh
on second thoughts PTI could very well use a 'lota' as a symbol. After all it does have its fair share of them!
PTI would still win despite PMLN's "hired" propaganda. IK would sweep the elections against all odds
PTI can use SHAHEEN as PTI electoral symbol..... it reflects our ideological leader Sir Allama Iqbal !
However, as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have their own electoral system and do not fall under the ECP, sources say this point will hold no weight.
Wrong! In judicial matters precedence from the judgements even of other countries is quoted and their logic in used, even though it is not legally binding. Just saying.
Yes Please vote for Imran Khan only. InshaAllah Tsunami will sweep the elections, yayyyyyy
It is not an issue, please don't make it one. If we get it its good, if JI gets it, congrats to them. No matter what symbol, use your vote right. Please don't vote for brothers in arms, Nawaz Sharif and Zardari. Let us stop them from biting this country with venom turn by turn. This is my request to all those whose hearts bleed to see our motherland in such shambles.
No matter who gets the election symbol "scale" and having seen governance of various governments and the slow process of judicial system, I am convinced that people of Pakistan will never be able to get justice, unless Pakistan will become "Islamic Republic" in true sence and Sharia Courts are constituted to provide justice to the aggrieved party within two weeks, similar to the cases are decided and disposed off in Saudi Arabia.
As a PTI supporter I will be happy for JI. They are our brothers too.
That is sad. But don't worry even if PTI chooses the symbol of a tree, they are going to rock the boat!
it should be:
Writing standards ET. Be careful.
i would rather have imran khan's face as the pti symbol.............
well not really a big issue. but PTI should look into choosing a "Judge's hammer" for its symbol. Need of an hour ! The Hammer nails it!
May PTI should go for the cricket ball or even a bat!
Qadri has become more popular leader than Imran Khan and now Election Symbol problem. Money spent on fake surveys is wasted. Start of bad year for PTI.
No worries, if this doesn't go in PTI's favor, they should choose the "Pen" as a symbol for their party. This will reflect a change in politics towards education, merit and a researched vision to make Pakistan into a great nation.
chalo...Minar-e-Pakistan could be another symbol for PTI. There are lots to choose from.
Those wanting change wont be deterred by whatever symbol is allotted. People know the faces.
Whatever the Sign for PTI. I am waiting to cast my vote for PTI.
PTI and JI are a natural fit and they would contest the elections as allies. Does not matter what their symbol is, they are similar in ideology and have unity of thoughts.
Regardless of who gets the symbol, both parties are destined for a complete failure.