ISLAMABAD: While the government has already legislated through the 26th amendment to keep the acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja till the appointment of the next CEC, the PTI has approached the Speaker of the National Assembly , Ayaz Sadiq, to begin the process of appointing a new CCA. since the incumbent’s mandate will end in 10 days.
In a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to appoint the next CEC.
“In accordance with Article 215 (1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the term of the head of the CEC, Sikandar Sultan Raja, will expire on January 26, 2025. In accordance with Article 213 (2A) and (2B) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, you are kindly requested to constitute the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment of CEC at the earliest to facilitate this important requirement constitutional. This will ensure a smooth and timely appointment as provided by the Constitution,” he stated.
On the other hand, PTI assembly chief Malik Mohammad Amir Dogar, while speaking in the house on Wednesday, said that the Election Commission of Pakistan remained the most controversial institution in the country’s history.
Ayub writes to NA president as Raja’s term ends in 10 days
The five-year terms of the CEC and two ECP members will end on January 26, but they will continue to serve indefinitely under the controversial legislation.
As per the 26th Amendment, the tenure of the CEC and two members, namely Nisar Ahmad Durrani (Sindh) and Shah Muhammad Jatoi (Balochistan), will be automatically extended until the posts are filled through a procedure that may take months.
The tenure of the commission members from Sindh and Balochistan will end on January 26.
Under the 26th Amendment, they will continue to work even after completing their term as Article 215 of the Constitution allows them to remain in their offices until a new CEC and new members are appointed.
The notification for the appointment of Sultan Sikandar Raja was issued on January 25, 2020, but he took oath of office on January 27, 2020.
According to Article 215, it is mandatory to appoint a new CCA or members of the commission within 45 days of the expiration of their term.
The procedure for appointing the CEC and the commission members is explained in Article 213, according to which the prime minister and the leader of the opposition will send three names to the president by consensus.
If there is no agreement on names between the two, the prime minister and the opposition leader will send their respective names to a parliamentary committee. After this, the speaker of the National Assembly will form a 12-member parliamentary committee, which will send a name from among them to the president for approval.
Published in Amanecer, January 16, 2025.
