predecessors, Raja’s four-year reign has been particularly controversial. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party initially backed his appointment, but it eventually became his harshest opponent. When the Election Commission refused to recognize PTI candidate Ali Asjad Malhi’s win in the Daska by-election and instead called for a new poll, the Chief Poll Commissioner and PTI clashed. The adoption of electronic voting equipment and the case involving unlawful funding were among the other issues that were the subject of the arguments.
Furthermore, Raja’s poll commission refused to accept the results of the intra-party poll, resulting in the PTI losing its electoral emblem, the “Bat. “The Chief Election Commissioner’s and Justice QaziFaez Isa’s rulings compelled PTI to run for office using alternate emblems, including brinjal, turnip, charpoy, pigeon, clock, and duck. The February 8 election was even more contentious, with claims that the Chief Election Commissioner was involved in weakening the PTI’s decisive advantage. Rumors of a covert meeting the night of the election, following which the results were postponed and altered, served as fuel for this.Tnhe Chief Election Commissioner’s brief absence from his position and the inexplicable delay in the results release that evening are still up for dispute.
PTI had more reverses even after the elections, when a number of its Members of National Assembly (MNAs) were ousted under the guise of vote recounts. The Chief Election Commissioner will continue to serve even after his formal tenure is up. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar affirmed that Raja will continue to serve in his capacity as Chief Election Commissioner till a new one is appointed in line with the Constitution. Journalist Faheem Akhtar noted that the waiting time has begun since Raja’s five-year tenure; that of Sindh Member Nisar Durani and that of Balochistan Member Shah Mohammad Jatoi have now ended.
