The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the national body that oversees elections, has put the MQM-P election symbol under formal review after Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) failed to hold intra-party elections by an extended deadline. In a show-cause notice dated October 26, the commission gave the party 14 days to explain the delay or face legal steps that could include losing the right to contest under its symbol.
According to the notice, MQM-P did not complete the legally required internal polls by October 15, 2026, even though it had already received more time. The commission said regular elections of office-bearers are mandatory for every registered political party under the Elections Act, 2017 — the main law that sets rules for parties and polls in Pakistan.
What the ECP notice requires
The ECP said parties must also send an election certificate to the commission within seven days of finishing their intra-party elections. That certificate is the formal proof that internal office-bearer polls have been held as the law requires.
MQM-P now has a two-week window to file its written reply. If it does not respond in time, the commission said it may start further proceedings under the law.
Risk to the MQM-P election symbol
The commission warned that missing intra-party elections can make a party ineligible for an election symbol — the ballot mark voters recognise when they cast their vote. It also said the MQM-P election symbol could be withheld for the next general elections if the party remains non-compliant.
For voters and candidates linked to the party, that would mean contesting without the familiar mark, or facing barriers to nomination until the ECP is satisfied that the legal steps have been completed.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Extension granted (date not specified): MQM-P was given extra time beyond its original schedule to hold intra-party elections.
- October 15, 2026: Extended deadline for MQM-P to complete intra-party elections; the party did not meet it, the ECP said.
- October 26: The ECP issued a show-cause notice to MQM-P over the missed deadline.
- 14-day reply period: MQM-P must submit its explanation within 14 days of the notice or risk further legal action.
- November 3, 2026: The notice and warning were publicly reported from Islamabad.
What happens next
MQM-P’s immediate task is to answer the show-cause notice within the 14-day period. A satisfactory reply and completion of the required internal elections, followed by the seven-day certificate filing, would be the path the law outlines for parties that have fallen behind. Until then, the status of the MQM-P election symbol remains under the commission’s review as set out in the notice.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Election Commission ne MQM-P ko notice diya hai kyunke party ne andaruni elections waqt par nahi karaye. Party ke paas 14 din hain jawab dene ke liye. Agar yeh poora na hua to election symbol rokne ka khatra hai. Aam voter ke liye is ka matlab yeh hai ke ballot par pehchan wala nishaan masla ban sakta hai.
