The Election Reforms Committee on Saturday agreed to introduce various changes regarding the eligibility of various members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the nullification of the criteria of being a judge.
Members of the committee who belonged to various political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), agreed upon the amendment.
After the amendment a retired bureaucrat or civil servant may also serve as Chief Election Commissioner or a member of the Election Commission.
According to Article 213 of the constitution, it is essential for the Chief Election Commissioner to be a judge of the Supreme Court, whereas article 218 of the constitution states that only members of High Courts may serve as members of the Election Commission.
It is predicted that the amendment shall be made prior to the hiring of new member s of the commission in June.
