The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has restored the lantern symbol to the Awami National Party (ANP) after hearing its case regarding the intra-party elections.
The ANP had requested a six-month extension for holding the intra-party elections, but the ECP rejected the plea, saying that the ANP’s five-year term had not expired yet, and that the country was in the midst of an election campaign and political parties were participating in it. Therefore, the ANP had to hold the intra-party elections by May 10.
The ECP also imposed a fine of 20,000 rupees on the ANP for violating the rules and regulations of the commission.
The lantern symbol has been associated with the ANP since its inception in 1986 as a merger of several left-wing and nationalist parties. The ANP is a secular and socialist party that advocates for the rights and interests of the Pashtun people in Pakistan. The party has faced several challenges and threats from the religious and extremist forces in the country, and has lost many of its leaders and workers in terrorist attacks.