PTI move to appoint CEC, ECP members

ISLAMABAD:

With Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja's five-year tenure set to expire on January 26, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has initiated efforts regarding the appointment of his successor and members from Sindh and Balochistan for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

PTI's parliamentary opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator Shibli Faraz and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, have formally written to Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, respectively, regarding the matter.

In his letter, Shibli Faraz called for the establishment of a parliamentary committee in accordance with Article 213 of the Constitution to ensure the appointments are made before the current terms expire.

He also noted that CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja's tenure would conclude on January 26, 2025, as per Article 215.

Omar Ayub, in his correspondence with the speaker, echoed the demand for forming a committee to address the constitutional requirement.

His letter reiterated that the CEC, along with Sindh and Balochistan members of the ECP, will retire on January 26, making it imperative to initiate the appointment process without delay.

The tenure of Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with the Sindh and Balochistan members, officially ends on January 26, and their replacements must be appointed promptly to ensure continuity in the commission's functioning.

According to the Constitution, both leaders must engage in discussions to finalise the appointments of the CEC and its members.

In the event of a deadlock between the prime minister and the opposition leader, the matter is referred to a parliamentary committee. The committee, formed by the National Assembly speaker, comprises 12 members, with equal representation from the government and the opposition.

If consensus is still not reached, each side submits three names for every vacant post to the parliamentary committee. Should the committee fail to reach an agreement, the matter is escalated to the Supreme Court for resolution.

As per the constitutional framework, the appointment of the new CEC and members must be completed within 45 days. However, until the new appointments are made, the current officeholders will continue performing their duties.

Eligibility criteria for the CEC include individuals under 68 years of age, who may be retired Supreme Court judges, technocrats or bureaucrats. For commission members, eligible candidates include retired high court judges, bureaucrats and technocrats under the age of 65.