The government and the opposition are likely to submit three combined nominations for the post of chief election commissioner to a parliamentary committee today (Wednesday) 48 hours before the expiry of a Supreme Court deadline on the appointment.
“In case, they [the PM and leader of opposition in the National Assembly] fail to perform their obligation, we will consider to proceed further,” said a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, on Tuesday.
The court insisted that its November 24 administrative order is intact. On November 24, the court had said it would withdraw its judge — Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali who is working as the interim CEC — from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on December 5. However, the court noted it will hear the case on December 8, three days after the deadline.
Attorney General Salman Aslam apprised the bench
of Monday’s meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khurshid Shah.
“Sincere efforts are being made in this regard and it is expected that the new CEC will be appointed by December 5,” Aslam said.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, on behalf of the prime minister continued deliberations with Shah over the names of potential candidates for post of the CEC. Later in the evening, Dar told reporters that they will try to finalise one combined list carrying three names by today (Wednesday).
He voiced hope that the two sides will reach an agreement on the three candidates and send the same to the 12-member parliamentary committee, which is expected to meet on Thursday (December 4) – a day before the Supreme Court withdraws its judge from the top electoral body.
The committee, which has equal representation from the treasury and opposition benches, has to choose one name after a proper hearing of all the candidates within 14 days of getting such a list.
However, if the parliamentary panel get a list today, it will have just one day for hearing each candidate – a legal provision it has to fulfill before selecting one proposed nominee through a two-thirds majority. Though the government and leader of the opposition are tight-lipped over the probable names, some media reports claim that they have shortlisted four names so far.
The shortlisted candidates include Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan, Justice (retd) Tariq Pervez, Justice (retd) Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice (retd) Mian Muhammad Ajmal. Sources said the names of Justice (retd) Tassadiq Hussain Jillani and many others also came under discussion.
In case the prime minister and the leader of opposition fail to reach a consensus on the three names, they will have to send their separate lists of three names each to the committee. It must be noted that being a constitutional post, the office of the CEC cannot be left vacant.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2014.
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No one with self esteem and dignity should accept this appointment. A meter reader and a lohar, both uncouth and uneducated with shady background cannot choose the right person. This entire delay sounded like bargaining. Therefore no self respecting person would accept this job.
Why are shortlisted candidates, ex justice . What can they contribute other than legalities of process, or explaining if any case is filed in court. Are there no qualified civil service candidates, as it involves, logistics, printing, interaction with collectors, handling press/media, foreign journalist. Interaction with police. Etc.