ISLAMABAD: A 12-member parliamentary committee, headed by federal minister Syed Khurshid Shah, reached consensus on Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim’s name out of six nominees as the head of the Election Commission of Pakistan, Express News reported on Monday.
Ebrahim was one of the three names nominated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Justice (retd) Nasim Sikander and acting CEC Justice Shakirullah Jan were the other two nominated by the party.
The government had recommended Justice (retd) Munir A Sheikh, Justice (retd) Amirulmulk Mengal and Justice (retd) Qurban Ali.
Justice Ebrahim’s selection documents will be forwarded to Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
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@Parvez: I know the man personally and there should be no fears about that. The moment he feels he is not being allowed to work independently he will leave immediately. Be absolutely certain about that. Need I mention that he left the Supreme Court by refusing to take a fresh oath under a law promulgated by Zia, he resigned as Governor Sindh on a matter of principle when he was not required to do so, that he resigned as Attorney General merely because the government had engaged another lawyer without informing him. So his deeds speak louder than anything else. And the man is so humble; he continued teaching at the S.M. Law College even while he was Governor of Sindh! We must just wish him godspeed and good luck.
This appointment only proves that democracy works, if people desire. When was the last time CEC was nominated by the unanimous approval? Never. Yet to some PPP is the most corrupt and afraid of elections! The next election results are not going to be much different for PPP; its voter bank remains intact in the rural heartland of Pakistan.
People shouldn't be so quick to praise PPP for appointing an independent election commissioner as they were pretty much forced to do it as if this stalemate between the govt and opposition continued then the acting CEC Justice Shakrullah would have remained the CEC and he would've possibly also had a say in the interim govt as per the constitution. Since Justice Shakrullah is also a judge of the supreme Court this would definitely not have suited the PPP hence they have opted for Justice Fakhru Ebrahim!
so for he has always shown bias against PPP But ZARDARI knows no matter who is election commissioner ,people will vote him to power again WHEN A JUDGE RETIRES THEN HE SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN THESE CUSHY JOBS IF HE IS FIT ENOUGH TO HEAD A COMMISSION THEN HE IS FIT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE WORKING AS JUDGE ,WHY RETIRE HIM ??
He is finest of man.Upright honest and incorruptible..there cannot be a better choice than him .I wish him well.
Well done PPP ... first, PAC chairman from opposition and now an independent chief of EC. Only PPP has the guts to take such mature decisions!
@fasmik: But PTI was demanding resignation, why?
impressive decision by our cheap govt i hope he will be sincere Chief Election Commissioner, watch video about his life and achievements http://goo.gl/Y76OQ
In terms of Judicial Sense and Sensibility G Ibrahim is far better than CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. G Ibrahim's only weak link in life is his compromising nature with the system and corruption in Pakistan.
How can the CEC or anyone else for that matter stop elections from being unduly influenced when feudal lords control their subject’s choice of vote? Further, stuffing of ballots for those who had died will continue. And, electoral rolls cannot be completely rid of bogus votes. No way in Pakistan can fair and impartial elections be held? I am speaking from personal experience as one who served once as a presiding officer. I had to threaten cancellation of results to boot out young student supporters of a party who had tried massive rigging through its followers who wanted to cast vote without a proper national identity card. My order was adhered to since that party was already ahead in race and wisely took my advice to avoid losing the seat it was winning. Apart from technical issues stated above, moneyed parties use goodies to attract voters and that blinds there judgment and no authority can restrict unbounded money spending on buying voters. All in all fair elections can only be a wish for the future but for now it is wishful thinking.
Lets see what the dim has to say...am waiting he will certainly come up with a jewel of a statement!!
Excellent News, but i know he will resign shortly. He has always done this when he has been appointed for any post or in committee.
From the comments above, I can feel something burning in PTI camp.
On the face of it seems like a good choice he is a man of integrity! I can't see PTI having an issue with him however, the only issue will be his age/health and whether he will be upto to the role in that regard!
Very good choice! Good job by the parliamentary committee. Well done.
we must appreciate the efforts of PMLN. there are some anari people asking to resign from the assembly. PMLN ZINDABAD....
For CEC post Fakhruddin Ibrahim Bhai choice is the best
Good choice.I hope he is able to bring about total transparency in Election Commission and conduct of elections.
Dear fellow Pakistanis, please read the news above as "Consensus to rig upcoming elections has been reached and they have found the perfect guy for it."
Excellent choice! He is one honest guy & nobody can doubt about his integrity. Proud of him as an outstanding Pakistani.
another deal between pml n and ppp.
@fasmik: hehehe, the noora league thinks that new electoral lists and CEC head nominee are going to go in their favor. they are living in fool's paradise!
we must appreciate PML n for nominating him.........they deserve it. Atleast they had done their job well this time around. I would suggest they should take all parties into confidence including PTI.
A rare service to PTI by PMLN. Now free and fair elections will pave way for PTI to win and come to power. Good for this hapless nation.
Are parties outside parliament on board regarding this?
This is the good decision.he is very respected person. But do his health will make no problam for him.
Excellent news.
Good man and a good choice. Hope he is allowed to function impartially.
Thats why i love PMLN...people all the time demanded neutral cheif election commissioner BUT PMLN is the only party who made sure of it by getting the 20th amendment pass... Mian nawaz clearly knows how politics is done
We even consulted that Tsunami khan who accepted this fact in hamid meer show... Now what do u have to say to this Mr. Tsunami....had we resigned from National Assembly then how could we would have consulted and get a neutral CEC appointed.
Big mistake. I know we are supposed to think he is a neutral non partisan Judge. But he is a partisan hack. PML N overplayed its hand. Or maybe cut a deal. I hope Fakhru G surprises me but the chances the next election gets rigged and electoral laws not be enforced strictly not be enforced just increased significantly. If government machinery is allowed to be abused as it has been in every bypoll I think I will be vindicated. Just my opinion... Shakirullah Jan was doing a steller job after the previous government appointed ECP wasted four years doing nothing. Now things look bleak again.