ECP Warns MQM-P Over Intra-Party Polls, Symbol at Risk

AI-generated illustration of an election commission building with a ballot box and gavel, representing the ECP 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 hold its intra-party elections within the extended deadline, warning that the party could lose its eligibility to obtain or retain an election symbol for future elections.

According to the notice, issued on 26 October 2026, MQM-P failed to fulfil the requirements of Sections 208, 209 and 215 of the Elections Act, 2017. Under an order issued on 16 April 2026, the ECP had granted the party an extended deadline of 15 October 2026 to conduct its intra-party elections.

Under Section 209 of the Elections Act, 2017, and Rule 158 of the Election Rules, 2017, a political party is required to submit a certificate confirming the conduct of its intra-party elections to the ECP within seven days of their completion. The ECP has directed MQM-P to submit its response within 14 days of the issuance of the notice, warning that failure to do so may lead to further legal proceedings.

The commission has made it clear that failure to fulfil the statutory requirements could result in the party being barred from obtaining or retaining an election symbol for future elections. The party’s symbol has NOT been withdrawn at this stage — the notice is a warning, and MQM-P still has the chance to respond.

The Express Tribune’s 3 November report adds background from the ECP hearing: Director General Political Finance Masood Sherwani informed the bench that MQM-P last conducted intra-party elections on 16 October 2021, while under its party constitution, fresh elections were required by 16 October 2025.