ECP issues show-cause notice to MQM-P over intra-party elections

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a show-cause notice to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for failing to meet the legal requirements for holding intra-party elections within the extended deadline of October 15, 2026, according to The Express Tribune and Daily Jang.

The notice was issued on October 26. The commission has given the party 14 days to respond.

The ECP stated that regular election of party office-bearers is a legal requirement under the Elections Act, 2017, which makes intra-party elections mandatory. Under the rules, a political party must submit an election certificate to the commission within seven days of holding such polls.

The commission warned that if MQM-P does not respond, further action will be taken under the law. It also said that failure to hold the elections could make the party ineligible to obtain an electoral symbol, and that its symbol could be withheld for future elections if it does not comply.

The Express Tribune reported that on April 7 the ECP had rejected MQM-P's request for a two-month extension to hold the elections. A three-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner heard the case, with Political Finance Wing officials and party representatives present. The Chief Election Commissioner said: "What war is being fought in Pakistan? We cannot grant two months."

Director General Political Finance Masood Sherwani told the bench that MQM-P last held intra-party elections on October 16, 2021. According to him, the party's constitution required fresh elections by October 16, 2025.

The Chief Election Commissioner directed party convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui or his lawyer to appear at the next hearing.