Appointments of CEC and two members of ECP: Achakzai steps up efforts aimed at speeding up process

ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai intensified efforts on Friday to push for the long-delayed appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), amid growing concerns over the commission operating under outgoing officials.

Sources within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) told Business Recorder that Achakzai has formally requested access to correspondence between his predecessor, Omar Ayub Khan, and the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the appointments.

Once obtained, Achakzai is expected to write to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the immediate replacement of CEC Sikander Sultan Raja and two members from Sindh and Blaochistan whose terms expired over a year ago.

A senior PTI official privy to the development said the party would no longer tolerate any delay.

“Sikander Sultan Raja’s term ended over a year ago, yet he continues to occupy the office. The time has come for him to vacate,” the official said.

The terms of CEC Raja and the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan – Nisar Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi – concluded on 26 January 2025.

Under Article 215(4) of the Constitution, the posts should have been filled within 45 days, setting a statutory deadline of 12 March 2025.

A proviso added through the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment allows incumbents to continue until successors are appointed. While technically constitutional, the process to appoint new officials is yet to begin.

Delays were previously linked to the absence of an officially recognised opposition leader in the National Assembly, whose participation is required for the appointments.

Before his removal on 8 August 2025, Omar Ayub Khan sent multiple letters to the Prime Minister advocating for the appointments, which were reportedly ignored.

Achakzai assumed the role of opposition leader on 16 January 2026, after a prolonged postponement, but the government is yet to initiate the selection of a new CEC and members from Sindh and Balochistan.

Constitutional experts say such appointments should be finalised before the posts fall vacant.

While acknowledging the legality of the incumbents’ continued tenure, they stress that the process for appointing successors must begin immediately and urge the prime minister to consult the opposition leader.

The delay has intensified criticism of CEC Raja, who has faced scrutiny from opposition parties, particularly PTI, and civil society over his handling of the controversial 2024 general elections.

Allegations have focused on administrative decisions perceived to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Following the 2024 general elections, Raja and the ECP’s refusal to allocate reserved seats to PTI-backed independents, instead favouring the ruling coalition, prompted a PTI legal challenge.

Despite a majority judgment ordering the transfer of reserved seats to PTI, the ECP sought clarification and later filed a review petition, delaying implementation.

Critics allege this allowed the government to amend the Elections Act 2017, nullifying the court ruling.

Additional concerns have been raised over delays in conducting local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad, which critics argue reflect selective enforcement, though the ECP cites administrative and legal constraints.

The Impasse over appointments has intensified calls for accountability, highlighting the importance of timely and transparent procedures in maintaining confidence in the country’s electoral system.

Meanwhile, sources said that former bureaucrat Kamran Lashari has emerged as a leading and widely contender for the top slot of CEC.

Lashari, a retired Grade-22 officer of the prestigious Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), has an illustrious record, having served as chief secretary Sindh, federal secretary petroleum, chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), and in numerous other pivotal roles.

His extensive experience and distinguished service make him widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Raja.

When approached for comment, Lashari appeared unaware of the speculation, stating he had no knowledge of his name being under consideration for the CEC post.

“I have no idea whatsoever […] you are the first to contact me regarding this matter,” he remarked.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026