Khursheed Shah blames govt for delay in CEC's appointment

Supreme Court has given government until November 13 to appoint a permanent chief election commissioner

ISLAMABAD: As the Supreme Court’s deadline regarding the appointment of a permanent chief election commissioner (CEC) draws closer, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah  accused on Wednesday the government for the delay in the appointment of a poll chief.

“The prime minister has not contacted me regarding the appointment of CEC. It proves that the delay is on part of the government,” Shah said while speaking to media representatives.

Following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the prime minister must consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and reach a consensus on a nominee for the position. In case they fail to agree on one name, both must propose three names each to a specially-constituted parliamentary committee, which can then pick out one name.

Shah, who belongs to the main opposition party, Pakistan Peoples Party, holds the office of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House of Parliament.

The constitutional office is lying vacant for more than a year now.

Justice (retd) Fakharuddin G Ebrahim had resigned from the post in July last year when opposition political parties leveled rigging allegations in the May 2013 general elections and later in the presidential polls held in July 2013.

The Supreme Court has been pressing the government to appoint a CEC immediately. Due to what the apex court considers an unnecessary delay in filling the important office, it has threatened to withdraw its sitting judge from the Election Commission of Pakistan, where he performs as acting CEC in addition to his judicial functions in the apex court.

The apex court had earlier given the government and Shah till October 28 to appoint the CEC. However, Shah had filed a plea in the Supreme Court to grant three weeks to make this appointment, upholding that the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms was working on a comprehensive package of reforms in the electoral system.

Changes in the eligibility criteria for a CEC have been proposed. Currently only a retired Supreme Court judge can be appointed for the post. The PPP has proposed that this office should not be left only for the retired judges but retired bureaucrats and senior politicians of good repute should also be eligible for this office.

However, the apex court, rejecting Shah’s plea, ordered that the post be filled by November 13.

In light of this, a meeting between the prime minister and Shah was expected today. However, when approached, Shah claimed that the government had not contacted him.

Shah said as the leader of the opposition, he would contact other political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, for an opposition nominee for the post.

Addressing other issues

Responding to a question, Shah said the government should hold “meaningful” dialogue with PTI chief Imran Khan to defuse the political impasse.

“If Imran Khan agrees on a dialogue, all issues, including the formation of a judicial commission to probe rigging allegations in general polls, can be resolved amicably,” he remarked.

The PPP leader reiterated his party’s proposal of slashing the tenure of government from five to four years.

Referring to PPP’s recent differences with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Shah suggested that the PML-N government should approach the MQM instead.

Further, he condemned Israeli aggression on Al Aqsa mosque and called it an aggression against the whole Muslim Ummah.