PM, Opposition Leader yet to begin 'consultations' on CEC appointment

ISLAMABAD: Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members delayed as PM Sharif and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai yet to begin consultations, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.

According to sources, the prime minister has not yet responded to a letter sent by Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai last month.

Achakzai had written to the prime minister seeking consultations on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and two ECP members.

A government delegation, led by Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, had also met with the opposition leader.

Under the Constitution, consultation between the prime minister and the opposition leader is mandatory for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECP members, according to sources.

Read more: PM should have invited opposition leader for new CEC consultation: Gohar

The tenure of incumbent Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja expired after completion of his constitutionally mandated five-year term. However, a proviso inserted into Article 215(1) through the 26th Constitutional Amendment allows the incumbent to continue in office until a successor is appointed.

The appointment of two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members from Sindh and Balochistan is also pending.