Shehbaz writes another letter to PM, urges for early appointment of CEC

Opposition leader says he can provide any further details or information regarding the names he has suggested

The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has once again written to Prime Minister Imran Khan stressing over the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner as soon as possible.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will become dysfunctional as the treasury and the opposition failed on Wednesday to break a deadlock on two appointments in the poll supervisory body while its head is set to retire on Friday.

Shehbaz has earlier suggested three people— Nasir Mahmood Khosa, Jalil Abbas Jilani and Khaliq Ahmed Tarard—for the position of CEC. Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan will retire on Friday after completing his five-year constitutional term.

Shehbaz writes letter to PM Imran over ECP appointments

The PML- N president, in his letter, opined that these prominent figures are well suited for the said position and urged the premier to put them under consideration without further delay.

He further added in the letter that the Chief Election Commissioner's five-year constitutional term will be completed on December 6, and if the chief and one or more members are not appointed, the election commission will be inactive.

He also said that according to the Article-213(2A) of the Constitution, the prime minister is required to consult with the opposition leader.

Shehbaz wrote, "…under the Constitution you should have started this consultation a long time ago. However, in an attempt to prevent a constitutional body like the election commission from becoming inactive, I am resuming the consultation process."

"Hopefully you will be able to qualify these individuals and bring them under consideration in accordance with the law," he added.

The opposition leader also said that he will provide any further details or information if so required.

Shehbaz asserted that consultation and a consensus is required for appointment of ECP members from both Balochistan and Sindh.

Shehbaz proposes three names for CEC post

He lamented, "...despite my rational arguments, unfortunately the consultation was hampered by the lack of consensus among the commission members."

"I urge you to make a sincere effort to create a consensus," he wrote in the letter to the PM.

Consultations are underway between Prime Minister Imran and the opposition leader for months.

Under the Constitution, ECP comprises a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four members — one from each province.

According to Article-215 (4) inserted in the Constitution through the 22nd Amendment a “vacancy in the office of the commissioner or a member shall be filled within 45 days.”

Meanwhile, under Articles-213 and 218, the prime minister in discussion with the opposition leader forwards three names for the appointment of a CEC or commission member to a parliamentary committee for confirmation of one name.

In case, a consensus cannot be reached between the premier and the opposition leader, the law allows the two to forward separate lists to the parliamentary committee for the hearing and finalisation of names.