Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) once again urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) the government on Sunday to immediately start the process of appointing the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) instead of hiding behind a Constitutional fine tuning -26. Amendments-as a pretext to delay the much-needed appointment. One week after the current CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja’s tenure ended, PTI has called on the government to quickly constitute a parliamentary panel to fill the main constitutional positions of CEC as well as members of Sindh and Balochistan through a transparent constitution. The opposition party’s second reminder of two weeks to launch the process of appointing new CEC has come as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held a mother on letters from opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate and calls for the Prime Minister to the immediate appointment of a new CEC.

"Sikandar Sultan Raja, whose period as CEC ended on January 26, 2025, was the most disputed figure in Pakistan’s election story," PTI -Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Acram said, "The massively rigged February 8 -polls would remain a permanent spot and stigma in his face and forever stains his legacy."

Raja’s period expired on January 26, but he may continue to perform his duties until a new appointment has been made during the 26th amendment to the Constitution. In the event of a delay, the PTI information secretary warned the government against further undermining the Election Commission in Pakistan (ECP). Waqas added that the government was hell to hurt all state institutions to protect its own interested interests. He called for the appointment of a credible, impeccable and impartial individual as CEC immediately to restore the rapidly declining prestige of this vital constitutional body. PTI-Leader emphasized that those who allegedly stole the public mandate have systematically undermined all state institutions by adopting self-service constitutional changes to install loyalists and disputed figures in senior positions, enabling them to perpetuate their unauthorized rule and avoid accountability. Since PTI is ready to register his protest on February 8th, Waqas said the people would not rest before they regain their "Stolen mandate" And keep those responsible for the polls, including the perpetrators, facilitators and recipients. He emphasized that the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub and the opposition leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz had already written letters to the speaker of the National Assembly and the chairman of the Senate for the immediate appointment of a new CEC but to no use. He urged the government to "Avoid Dillydally -Taktics and constitute a parliamentary panel without further delay in order to oversee these important agreements"as laid down in Article 213 of the Constitution. Waqas made it clearly that "PTI would not allow the power factors to retain the current very controversial CEC in this reputed position anymore or replace him with any partical and blue -eyed, what may be." He promised that PTI would not leave any stones that were turned to secure the appointment of the most credible person at the August position to revive the credibility of the chosen watchdog. PTI claimed that the public had already handed down a clear judgment on February 8, even in the light of coercion and threats, and a sea of ​​people would again appear letter and spirit. Last week, PTI had also called for the government to immediately appoint an honest, objective and neutral CEC in consultation with PTI to revive the election watch and ensure continuity in democratic processes. 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 cricket bats. 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. According to Raja’s term of office, several key selection questions remained unresolved, including postponing the election in the Senate to 11 seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the award of reserved seats due to a standoff between the Supreme Court and the parliament and delays in the local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad. Federal Minister of Information and Issuing ATA Tarar was contacted for comments, but his response came first before submitting the story.