Ready for CEC slot, says Fakhruddin

The nominated Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and senior jurist Justice (retd.) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim Tuesday said that his first priority as CEC would be to hold transparent elections, while the media and civil society would have to play their role for this purpose.
Talking to the media on Tuesday outside the Supreme Court here, Fakhruddin G Ebrahim said that he was willing to become CEC. However, he had not yet been informed about it officially. Justice Ibrahim said, “My appointment hasn’t been made for now but the day I will become the election commissioner, the doors of the court will be closed for me.” The nominated CEC said that the post would be a challenge for him and that the media should help in administrating free and fair elections. The in-line CEC laid out his course of action in this regard, saying, “After taking over as CEC, I will take stock of as to why the electoral rolls were not prepared thus far.” He further added that the time of election will be decided by the prime minister. Fakhruddin stressed he would attempt to create consensus regarding elections and meeting all the political parties will comprise part of his responsibilities in this connection. He stressed that if the country was to be saved, then fresh and fair elections were mandatory. He added that there was no difference between Pakistan and India except the periodic holding of transparent elections and that India was in a better situation due to a fair and free elections process. He also said that he was against lawmakers being allowed to have dual-nationalities and also said that a four-year tenure for the assemblies might be a good idea. He said that though the people of the country were facing multiple challenges, he was sure that change was just around the corner.