ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah discussed the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday via telephone, Express News reported.
According to sources, Shah expressed his point of view regarding the Supreme Court deadline.
The top court on October 14 gave the federal government two weeks to appoint a permanent CEC, or else it will withdraw its judge, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who is currently serving as acting CEC.
The government and the opposition wish to keep the post vacant until the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms completes its work.
Following the 18th constitutional amendment, the prime minister must consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and reach a consensus on a nominee for the position. In case they fail to agree on one name, both must propose three names each to a specially constituted parliamentary committee which can then pick out one name.
The ruling PML-N and the opposition PPP held several rounds of talks on the matter last year and earlier this year. Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar heads the 33-member parliamentary committee on electoral reforms and had been involved in these talks with Shah on behalf of the prime minister. During these consultations, many names, including that of Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, came up for consideration. However, the process came to an abrupt end. The Supreme Court has now given the government two weeks to complete the process.
A similar deadline was given earlier this year when the court asked the government to fill all important vacant posts, including that of CEC, by March this year.
Since the appointment of CEC comes under constitutional provisions, any changes would require an amendment to the Constitution, requiring a two-thirds approval from the National Assembly and Senate, separately.
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Why waste time and money with sham election?
will another dharna be needed by the general public to change this rule of ruling party/opposition selecting the CEC?
PM should get consent of IK/PTI because they are real opposition in assembly.
Two Cats will decide the guard for milk. :)
Thank you Supreme court for forcing the champions of democracy to fill the most important post for transparent elections. I wonder how can this post be left alone with an acting head for such a long time.
This is sad news. PML-N and PPP selecting a CEC. This way a neutral and fair Election Commission can never be ensured. Selecting ECP employees should be transparent and ruling parties should have no role in this task.
WHY ALL THESE RETIRED JUTICES, CJs, Retired Govt servants come for these posts again.. why dont they hire some one who is good technically at job with foreign experience or through advertisement.
Clean elections is not in the interest of PMLN and PPP.
What else can you expect from PPP and PML(N) another Mukmuka
Birds of a feather... these two have reached a tacit agreement to play musical chairs and suck this country dry... Jaago Pakistanio!
Muk-muka politics at it again...sigh...