ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said a new chief election commissioner (CEC) would be appointed in consensus with all political parties, as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) wanted to ensure free, fair and transparent general elections.
“The chief election commissioner will also be appointed in consensus with all the political parties after the retirement of incumbent CEC, as we did in the case of the appointment of members of the Election Commission,” Gilani said while responding to the queries of callers from general public in a live ‘Prime Minister Online’ television programme.
Regarding the opposition demand for the appointment of a NAB chairman, Gilani said there was a difference between the appointment of a CEC and NAB chairman. “NAB chairman is appointed by the president in consultation with the Leader of House and the Leader of Opposition. “Consultation does not mean consensus,” he added.
To a question about speculations regarding the next general elections, Gilani said that unlike the past when there was article 58-2b, and the governments and assemblies with two-thirds majority were removed unconstitutionally and elections were called, now it is the prime minister’s prerogative.
However, he added that he has already stated that after the holding of Senate elections in February-March and the new budget in May, the government was ready to sit with the opposition to discuss this matter (next elections).
In response to a question about the preparation of new voter lists, he assured that there would be free, fair and transparent elections. The PPP is not a one-timer party, it has come into power by contesting elections and not through an overnight change, adding that “we want transparent elections.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2012.
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