Demand Grows for Parliamentary Panel to Appoint New CEC
The demand for a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is gaining momentum amidst escalating political tensions between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government. PTI leaders have called for the formation of a parliamentary committee to oversee the appointment of a new CEC following the conclusion of Sikander Sultan Raja’s term.
PTI leader Omar Ayub recently urged National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to establish the committee, emphasizing the need to adhere to constitutional requirements in the appointment process. Ayub highlighted the expiration of Raja’s tenure, stating, “He has no moral authority to continue. He and the two retired commissioners should step down immediately.”
Raja’s term as CEC was plagued by controversy, particularly during last year’s general election. The election was marred by allegations of manipulated results, Internet blackouts, and delays. While the PTI accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of wrongdoing, the caretaker government attributed disruptions to the maintenance of law and order.
Tensions between PTI and Raja reached a peak in August 2022, when the ECP concluded that PTI had received prohibited foreign funds, a claim vehemently denied by the party. Subsequently, the commission disqualified Imran Khan, the PTI leader, from holding public office due to undeclared assets, a decision that was perceived as politically motivated by the party.
The political landscape further shifted in April 2022 when Imran Khan was removed from office via a parliamentary vote and subsequently jailed on multiple charges. Khan has accused the military, which he was once aligned with, of supporting his political rivals, although these allegations have been denied by the military.
As PTI continues to press for a new CEC through the establishment of a parliamentary committee, the government faces mounting pressure to address the party’s demands. However, ongoing negotiations have hit a roadblock, with PTI withdrawing from talks last week due to unmet requests for judicial commissions to investigate anti-government protests and the release of Khan and other political detainees.
While the government’s negotiation team has pledged to respond to PTI’s demands by January 28, the unresolved issue of appointing a new election chief adds fuel to the fire, further intensifying the political standoff. The calls for a parliamentary panel to oversee the appointment process underscore the critical need for transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s electoral system.
