The government and opposition have not revealed the name of a probable candidate for the post of Chief Election Commissioner though the deadline given by the Supreme Court for the appointment is to expire on Monday (tomorrow).
The apex court has warned that if a new CEC is not appointed, the acting CEC will stop discharging his duties and the position will be left vacant.
The CEC appointment case is being heard by a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Nasirul Mulk. During the proceedings, the attorney general of Pakistan sought more time for the appointment of the CEC on behalf of the federal government. The AGP said that the prime minister and opposition leader were not in the country and the people contacted for the appointment to the position had excused themselves.
Justice (r) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas have already refused to take up the post of CEC while a consensus could not be reached regarding the appointment of Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid.
Justice (r) Tariq Pervaiz’s name is under consideration as the government and opposition consult each other to reach a consensus.
Presently Justice (r) Anwar Zaheer Jamali is serving as the acting CEC and the apex court has ruled that after the deadline expires, the acting CEC will stop discharging his additional duties and the seat will remain vacant until the appointment of a permanent CEC.
