ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate the process for appointing a new chief election commissioner and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) representing Sindh and Balochistan.
In a letter to the prime minister dated August 10, Achakzai, who is also head of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, drew the premier’s “urgent attention” to what he described as a critical constitutional duty concerning the composition of the electoral watchdog.
Achakzai maintained that the statutory tenure of the chief election commissioner, as well as the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan, had expired on January 26, 2025.
“Ensuring the immediate filling of these key constitutional offices is essential for maintaining the operational continuity, independence, and credibility of the commission,” he said.
In his letter, the opposition leader cited constitutional provisions governing the appointment of the CEC and ECP members.
Referring to Article 213(2A), he said the prime minister was required to consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and forward three names for appointment of the CEC to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation.
Achakzai also referred to Article 218(2)(b), saying the appointment of ECP members from each province was required to follow the same constitutional procedure involving consultation between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.
The opposition leader urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to hold a meeting with him to finalise candidates for the vacant constitutional positions.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Shehbaz had invited then National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub for consultations on the appointment of a new CEC in June last year.
The National Assembly later removed Ayub and other PTI-backed leaders from prominent parliamentary positions following their disqualification by the ECP in the May 9 cases in August last year.
The process to fill the key positions in the Election Commission has consequently remained delayed.
