“The election symbols are being changed from different forums after the allocation of symbol,” a spokesperson for the electoral watchdog said.

The spokesperson warned of a delay in the polls if the candidates continued to change their election symbols as the ECP will have to print the ballot papers afresh.

“The ECP has ordered the publishing and printing of ballot papers after the allotment of the election symbols,” he said.

According to the spokersperon, the ECP was holding meeting to overcome the situation and to ensure compliance of its directions regarding the changing of symbols.

“The ECP will have no other choice than delaying election in those constituencies if the practice of changing election symbols is not stopped,” he stated.

With the PTI approaching the courts for change of electoral symbols, it is feared that polls would be delayed.

Several candidates of former prime minister Imran Khan moved courts after the ECP allotted them symbols as an independent candidate which they did not like.

Such a concern was also discussed during a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.