In a significant development, a major switching has taken place at the country’s electoral authority for Pakistan (the Electricity Commission of Pakistan (ECP) – with three of its provincial members who exchange places.

According to a review issued on Thursday, Sharifullah, the provincial election commissioner in Sindh, has been appointed provincial election commissioner for Punjab.

Muhammad Farid Afridi, the provincial election commissioner in Balochistan, has been appointed to the joint election commissioner of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Aijaz Anwar Chohan, the provincial election commissioner for Punjab, has been re -appointed as provincial election commissioner in Sindh.

Ali Asghar Sial has been appointed provincial election commissioner in Balochistan, while Aleem Shahab has been appointed additional Director -General (Headquarters).

The Main Commissioner (CEC), Sikander Sultan Raja, has completed his period. However, the government and the opposition have not yet been able to start the negotiations to find its successor.

On January 27, one day after the end of the current CEC’s period, PTI demanded the largest opposition party that the government immediately and transparently appointed “an honest, objective and neutral CEC” in consultation with PTI.

“The dark era of the outbound CEC left an indelible mark on the country’s electoral landscape,” PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said in a statement.

He said it is the responsibility of the government to secure timely and consensus -based appointments of CEC and two other provincial leader of the election body “to protect the institution from further destruction”.

The PTI Information Secretary said that the outgoing CEC’s tenure had harmed the reputation of the ECP so that he could continue in the position would be a gross injustice, not only for the institution but also for the nation.

PTI has had a rocky relationship with ECP under Raja’s leadership, characterized by legal challenges and public disputes. Tensions peaked during the 2024 parliamentary elections, when PTI alleged widespread rigging and voting manipulated by the ECP-led trial, removed the party for its iconic electoral symbol on a cricket bat.

The party has repeatedly accused Raja of delaying the election results and manipulation with polls, allegations that the ECP has consistently refused. PTI has also called for Raja’s resignation and claims his actions have eroded confidence in the ECP’s ability to make fair choices.