ISLAMABAD:
Union Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Sikander Sultan Raja, can continue to perform his duties until the appointment of his successor as per the constitution.
“The new CEC will be appointed in accordance with the constitution, which also allows a CEC to continue to perform its work until a new CEC is appointed,” Tarar said in a statement on Friday.
The CEC’s constitutional term ends on January 26, and opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, have already written separate letters demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to review nominations to fill key positions.
In his letter to NA Chairman Ayaz Sadiq, Omar urged to step up efforts for the appointment of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members from Sindh and Balochistan as their tenure also expires on January 26.
Citing Article 213 of the Constitution, he urged the formation of the Parliamentary Committee as soon as possible to initiate the CEC appointment process, stating that under no circumstances should there be any delay.
Shibli Faraz in his letter to Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also emphasized the need for the formation of the Parliament and to fill the seats of the two members from Sindh and Balochistan.
Article 213 states that the Prime Minister, in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, must send three names for appointment by the CEC to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of a person.
“Provided that in the event that there is no consensus between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, each shall submit separate lists to the Parliamentary Committee for consideration, which may confirm any name.