PM invites opposition for consultation on new CEC

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has invited leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), to hold consultations on the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

- Tariq Butt

In a letter addressed to the opposition leader, the premier pointed out that the term of the incumbent CEC as well as two other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) culminated on Jan 26 this year but they have been continuing in office under Article 215 of the Constitution.

Under Article 218, proposals for the appointment of the CEC and members have to be sent to the parliamentary committee for approval, the prime minister wrote.

The five-year term of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja ended on January 26, along with two other members of the ECP, Nisar Ahmad Durrani (Sindh) and Shah Muhammad Jatoi (Balochistan).