CEC appointment, two members of ECP: Rahbar Committee calls for early consensus

The Rahbar Committee, a representative body of the opposition political parties, on Friday called for an early consensus on appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

A meeting of the Rahbar Committee held in the chair of Akram Khan Durrani as its convener discussed prevailing political situation and the ongoing dialogue process between the opposition and the government over appointment of CEC and members of the ECP.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Durrani said the meeting discussed the continued deadlock over the appointment of the CEC and two members of the ECP. He said that it was decided that the CEC and the members should be agreed upon together.

He said that talks with the government regarding the appointment of CEC and members of the ECP are underway, adding that efforts are underway that the issue is resolved by the Parliament.

He said that the opposition parties have lost their confidence in the ECP due to the alleged riggings and mishandling of the previous general elections.

"We want to bring members enjoying good reputation to the ECP, as we have to restore the lost confidence of the people in the election body," he said, adding that all the opposition parties are in complete agreement in this regard.

He maintained that the issue could not be resolved due to the alleged incompetence of the government.

"The government has the last chance to resolve the issue," he said, adding that the government is unable to reach a consensus on the names against the two vacant seats of the ECP and for the CEC.

Speaking on the occasion, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal lamented that it was understood that the CEC will be retiring and the necessary consultation process between the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly should have been completed well on time.

He also alleged the Prime Minister for taking an unconstitutional step through the President by appointing two members of the ECP without adopting the constitutional way. "Similar things happened while giving extension in tenure of the Chief of Army Staff," he added.

Zahid Khan, spokesman of Awami National Party (ANP) said that the designated government names for the office of the chief election commissioner are controversial, adding that the government should evolve consensus on the names forwarded by the opposition.

"As a result of the general elections 2018, 'selected' government came into being that's why we will never accept the names forwarded by the government," he added.

The meeting was attended by Raja Pervez Ashraf, Farhatullah Babar, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Ahsan Iqbal, Hashim Babar, Mian Iftikhar Hussain and others.