CEC, ECP Members to Be Appointed Through Constitutional Process, Says Speaker
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Secretariat on Sunday clarified that the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are being processed strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and established parliamentary procedures.
Responding to recent media reports, the Secretariat stated that National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has formally replied to a letter from Opposition Leader Omar Ayub concerning the appointment process.
According to a spokesperson, “The constitutional and legal process for constituting the parliamentary committee is being followed in both letter and spirit.” The initial step, the statement emphasized, is a mandatory consultation between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
The speaker’s response outlined the relevant constitutional framework that governs the formation of the committee responsible for overseeing these appointments. He reminded the opposition leader that mutual consultation between the two leaders is the foundational requirement, as stipulated in the Constitution.
The spokesperson also referenced a letter dated May 16, 2025, in which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated the consultative process by reaching out to the opposition leader with proposed names.
In case of a lack of consensus between the two, the matter will be referred to the National Assembly Speaker in line with Article 213(2A) of the Constitution, the statement concluded.
