Sikandar Sultan Raja's term as CEC ends on Jan 26

The five-year term of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja will conclude on January 26, but under the 26th Constitutional Amendment, he will continue to fulfill his duties until a new appointment is made.

In addition to the CEC, members from Sindh and Balochistan will also retire on January 26. However, they will continue their work until the new appointments are finalised.

The process for appointing the new CEC has yet to begin, as consultations between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are still pending.

According to the constitution, it is necessary for the prime minister and the opposition leader to consult on the appointment of the CEC and members. If no consensus is reached between them, the matter will be referred to a parliamentary committee.

The speaker of the National Assembly will form a committee consisting of 12 members from both the government and opposition to address the issue.

If there is still no agreement, three nominees for each post will be sent to the committee. If the parliamentary committee fails to reach a consensus, the matter will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.

The appointment of the new CEC and members must be completed within 45 days, but in the interim, the current CEC and members will continue their responsibilities.

For the position of CEC, former Supreme Court judges, technocrats, and bureaucrats under the age of 68 are eligible. Similarly, former High Court judges, bureaucrats, and technocrats under 65 years of age are eligible for appointment as members of the Election Commission.