During 2025, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cancelled the enlistment of three political parties for failing to conduct intra-party elections, while enlisting ten new political parties. Following these changes, the total number of enlisted political parties in the country now stands at 176.

Read where Pakistan’s political parties are headquartered

What are the legal requirements for party enlistment and its cancellation?

While forming a political party is a fundamental right under Article 17 of the Constitution, enlistment with the ECP is a legal requirement for obtaining an election symbol for the purpose of contesting elections. Section 202 of the Elections Act, 2017 requires a political party to apply for enlistment with the ECP within 30 days of its formation. The application must be accompanied by:

  • Certified results of the party’s intra-party elections,
  • A copy of the party’s constitution,
  • Detailed information regarding the party’s sources of funding,
  • A membership list comprising at least 2,000 members, including their personal details, copies of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), and thumb impressions, and
  • Proof of payment of a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 200,000.

Read FAFEN’s explainer on how political parties are dissolved

Under Section 208 of the Elections Act, the Election Commission may issue a show-cause notice or impose a fine of up to Rs 200,000 on a political party that fails to hold intra-party elections within the prescribed timeframe. In cases of continued non-compliance, the ECP is empowered to cancel the party’s enlistment.

Under Section 202(6), a political party whose enlistment has been refused or cancelled may file an appeal before the Supreme Court within 30 days of such refusal or cancellation.

Which political parties were enlisted during 2025?

During 2025, the Election Commission enlisted Awaam Pakistan (AP), Muttahida Pukhtoonistan Party (MPP), Pakistan National Party Parliamentarian (PNPP), Awami Muthidda Movement Pakistan (AMMP), Bahawalpur Awami Haqooq Party (BAHP), Tajdeed-e-Nizam (TN), Azad Awam Pakistan Party (AAPP), Pasban-e-Watan Pakistan (PWP), Mukammal Pakistan Party (MPP), and Quran-o-Sunnah Movement Pakistan (QSMP).

Which parties’ enlistment was canceled during 2025?

During 2025, the ECP canceled the enlistment of Pakistan National Party (PNP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Nizam (PTN) for failing to hold intra-party elections.