ISLAMABAD: The process for appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) remains pending as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai have yet to formally begin consultations, sources said on Monday.
According to sources, the prime minister has not responded to a letter sent by Achakzai last month requesting consultations over the appointment of the CEC and two ECP members.
Achakzai had approached the prime minister seeking to initiate the constitutional process for filling the vacant positions.
Meanwhile, a government delegation headed by Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has already met with the opposition leader, although formal consultations between the two constitutional office-holders have yet to take place.
Constitutional consultation required
Under the Constitution, the prime minister and opposition leader are required to consult each other before appointments to the office of the CEC and membership of the Election Commission are finalised.
The issue has gained urgency following the completion of Sikandar Sultan Raja’s five-year constitutional term as chief election commissioner.
However, a proviso added to Article 215(1) through the 26th Constitutional Amendment allows the incumbent CEC to continue performing his duties until a successor is appointed.
ECP vacancies also pending
The government is also yet to fill two ECP member positions representing Sindh and
Balochistan.
The delay in initiating formal consultations has therefore left the appointment process for both the top electoral office and the two provincial ECP seats unresolved.
