The government and opposition have launched a consultation on the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The consultation process includes the names of former judges and bureaucrats. According to sources, one of the most important government allies is advocating the appointment of former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, as the consultations of the new CEC.
Reports indicate that the government and opposition parties have formally started to discuss the next Chief Election Commissioner and new members for the Election Commission.
The discussion is indeed very important and necessary for carrying out free and fair elections in Pakistan.
The sources close to the government informed this newspaper that, at present, the names are being scrutinized for key slots of the election commissioner along with former judges and retired bureaucrats.
Government says that the appointment of the chief election commissioner is serious because he heads the institution with the charge of overseeing and defending the very credibility of the elections.
The strongest political ally of the government has lent a voice in support of Justice (Retd.) Qazi Faez Isa and asked the government to appoint him as the next Chief Election Commissioner.
Justice Isa is one of the most famous personas of judicial circles; in fact, he became famous not only for his independent judgments but also for his robust face as a strong figure in Pakistan’s legal circle.
Sources have revealed that ex-judges Nasir-ul-Mulk and Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, who are both from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are also on the serious shortlist.
PML-N plans for consultations between political allies as well as President Asif Ali Zardari before finalizing the name.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party of Imran Khan, too discussed some internal level about their possible candidates for Chief Election Commissioner.
Sources claim that PTI has reportedly considered the name of renowned columnist and former bureaucrat Orya Maqbool Jan for the post.
A new Chief Election Commissioner is going to be appointed, which would be a deciding factor for the elections to take place and in turn, would be a factor affecting the overall democratic process of Pakistan.
It is going to happen after all discussions between the government, opposition, and other relevant stakeholders.
