'PM deliberately delaying CEC appointment'

PTI demands process initiated without further delay

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ISLAMABAD:

The PTI has demanded immediate initiation of the process for the appointment of a new chief election commissioner (CEC). It claims that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is deliberately delaying the process despite the fact that the term of the incumbent CEC, Sikandar Sultan Raja, has expired two months ago.

PTI's Central Information Secretary Shafi Jan on Thursday issued a statement demanding that the government initiates the process without further delay.

He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is a constitutional institution and appointment of its new chief is crucial. However, the prime minister and his allies are bent on violating and disrespecting the Constitution.

He said the process of appointing the CEC must be completed under Article 213.

Jan said the prime minister has yet to contact the opposition leader on this matter despite the fact that National Assembly Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub has already written a letter to the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to fill the key position.

"There has been no response yet to the demand for the formation of a parliamentary committee. The delay in this process clearly exposes the intentions of the prime minister and his allies."

He said the government wants to retain "a biased and puppet" CEC.

"The government seeks to fulfill its malicious objectives through the current CEC. We demand that the illegitimate prime minister initiate the process of appointing a new CEC. Otherwise, we will take the matter to court," the statement added.