Name of new CEC likely to be announced on Dec 1

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Kursheed Shah are likely to announce the name of new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) by Monday. Mr Sharif and Mr Shah talked to each other on phone on Friday and decided to meet on Monday at the Prime Minister Secretariat to reach consensus on one candidate to be appointed the CEC. It is believed that the two leaders will reconsider the names of former chief justice retired Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and retired Justice Tariq Pervez for the post. The Supreme Court has repeatedly set deadlines for the government to fill the post of the CEC which has been lying vacant for over 16 months. The final one has been set as Dec 5 after which the services of the apex court’s judge as acting CEC will not be provided anymore. I hope that we will be able to announce the name of the next CEC by Dec 1, the opposition leader said on Friday. He said that due to legal and constitutional constraints no one except a retired judge could be made CEC and because of this condition only a few names were under consideration. He said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan had rejected all probable even those who were not controversial and given the name of retired Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid. Now I offer Imran Khan to himself become chief election commissioner and hold the next general elections, he said, adding that he would convince all other stakeholders on the appointment of Imran Khan. Justice Jillani has regretted to accept the slot despite the government-opposition consensus on his name. He declined to accept the position a day after the PTI chairman urged him not to accept the post. It is believed that the government and the opposition will try to convince Justice Jillani to accept the post. The refusal by Justice Jillani has brightened the chances of second important contender, retired Justice Tariq Pervez, for appointment as the CEC. The CEC will be appointed for four years and will hold next general elections in 2018. Published in Dawn, November 29th , 2014