New poll chief: ‘Ebrahim’s age, health is a concern’

CEC’s appointment questioned by constitutional experts who are calling for an age limit.


Zahid Gishkori July 16, 2012
New poll chief: ‘Ebrahim’s age, health is a concern’

ISLAMABAD:


Constitutional law experts stand deeply divided over questions surrounding the age and health of the new chief election commissioner (CEC).


Many are calling for an age limit on all constitutional posts, including that of the CEC, while expressing concern over the age of newly appointed poll commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim. Ebrahim is 84 years old.

Though Ebrahim is widely respected as a constitutional expert, some reservations have been expressed on other counts. It could be hard for the CEC to understand election complications at this age, according to chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The maulana, who also congratulated Ebrahim on becoming the new CEC, stressed upon the age limit for all constitutional posts by citing the precedence set by neighbouring countries India and Bangladesh. In both countries, the CEC reaches his/her superannuation at the age of 65.

Constitutional law expert Ahmed Raza Kasuri questioned: “When a person has already attained the age of 85 and will retire at 90, can he fulfil his job commitment?” Kasuri said that at a time when an apex court judge’s age of superannuation is 65, it is only fitting that the president should also have an age limit for the CEC.

He added: “The president should ask the parliamentary committee set up to decide the appointment of the CEC to review its recommendations, keeping in mind the age factor.”

Kanwar Dilshad, a former secretary of the Election Commission, also said Pakistan should follow India and Bangladesh on the rules regarding an election commissioner’s age, especially considering the importance of the post in the wake of the 18th and 20th amendments.

Dilshad, however, was optimistic that Ebrahim will at least be able to handle the upcoming elections issues.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervez Rashid was tight-lipped over a possible amendment in the constitution over an age limit for office holders of constitutional posts.

“I will comment on this issue after the upcoming general elections,” Senator Rashid said when The Express Tribune sought his opinion on the issue.

Previously, the CEC used to be appointed by the president – but after the passage of the 18th and 20th amendments under Article 213 of the Constitution, the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly is required to forward three names to a parliamentary committee to pick one.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.

COMMENTS (11)

Raza Khan | 12 years ago | Reply

For God sake why we create senseless issues!

Uza Syed | 12 years ago | Reply

Mr. Fakhruddin Ebrahim's age is an issue, especially, when you see him struglling to recall the right words and phrases to express himself when asked for his opinion. It's a pity to watch an old and semi senile man being put through this travail of public srutiny by being forced into lime light for political reasons by some, it's anyone's guess how intact his intellectual and legal is and can be of value at this stage of his life. Must we make sure that even someone with his name and reputation becomes a target of public criticism and ridicule, must we?

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