ECP Show-Cause Notice to MQM-P Over Party Elections

The ECP show-cause notice to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) gives the party 14 days to respond over its failure to hold intra-party elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan issued the notice on October 26, after the party missed the extended deadline of October 15, 2026.

The commission said MQM-P had failed to conduct its intra-party elections within the prescribed extended period. It warned that further action would follow in accordance with the law if the party did not submit its response.

The stakes are high for the party. The ECP warned that failure to conduct intra-party elections could render MQM-P ineligible to obtain an electoral symbol. The commission added that the party’s electoral symbol could also be withheld for future elections if it failed to comply with the legal requirements.

The regular election of party office-bearers is a legal requirement under the Elections Act, 2017, which makes intra-party elections mandatory. Political parties must also submit an election certificate to the commission within seven days of holding intra-party elections.

ECP show-cause notice: what the law requires

The case has already been before the commission this year. On April 7, the ECP rejected MQM-P’s request for a two-month extension to hold its intra-party elections. The Chief Election Commissioner questioned the grounds for delay and warned of serious consequences for non-compliance.

A three-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner heard the case. Officials from the ECP’s Political Finance Wing appeared before the commission, along with party representatives. During the proceedings, the Chief Election Commissioner asked, “What war is being fought in Pakistan? We cannot grant two months,” and directed that convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui or his lawyer must appear at the next hearing.

Director General Political Finance Masood Sherwani informed the bench that MQM-P last conducted intra-party elections on October 16, 2021. Under its party constitution, fresh elections were required by October 16, 2025.

Why the notice matters beyond MQM-P

The notice lands in a busy week for the Election Commission. The ECP is also preparing for local government polls in Islamabad, as covered here: ECP prepares for Islamabad local government polls. At the same time, the government has sought nominees from the PPP and MQM-P for a proposed parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, as covered here: Government seeks PPP, MQM nominees for electoral reforms panel.

MQM-P itself remains active on the political front. The party recently took out a march for new provinces, as covered here: MQM-P new provinces march. The show-cause notice, however, is a separate legal matter, and it turns on a simple question: whether the party holds its internal elections on time and files the required certificate.

What happens next

MQM-P has 14 days from the notice to submit its response. If it fails to respond, the commission has warned that it will act in accordance with the law, which could include withholding the party’s electoral symbol for future elections.

The commission will decide the next step once the 14-day reply period ends.

Frequently asked questions

What is a show-cause notice?

A show-cause notice asks a party or person to explain why action should not be taken against them. Here, the ECP asks MQM-P to explain why it missed the deadline for intra-party elections.

Why did the ECP issue the notice?

The commission says MQM-P failed to hold intra-party elections within the extended deadline of October 15, 2026, as required under the Elections Act, 2017.

How long does MQM-P have to respond?

The party has 14 days to respond to the show-cause notice.

What happens if MQM-P does not comply?

The ECP warned that failure to conduct intra-party elections could render the party ineligible to obtain an electoral symbol, and the symbol could be withheld for future elections.

When did MQM-P last hold intra-party elections?

MQM-P last conducted intra-party elections on October 16, 2021, while under its party constitution fresh elections were required by October 16, 2025.