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CEC appointment: SC deadline to expire on Monday
ISLAMABAD: The deadline given by the Supreme Court to the government for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner will expire on Monday, November 24, while the situation is still dubious as the government and opposition have not yet revealed the name of the probable candidate.
The apex court had warned that if a new CEC was not appointed, the acting chief election commissioner would be recalled and the position would be left vacant.
The CEC appointment case was heard by a three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice. During the proceedings, the attorney general sought more time for the appointment of the CEC on behalf of the federal government. The attorney general said the prime minister and opposition leader were not in the country and those people contacted for the position had excused themselves.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan inquired if the prime minister would be abroad as the next deadline for the appointment expired. The attorney general replied that the CEC would be appointed with consensus.
So far, Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and Rana Bhagwandas have already refused to take up the CEC role while no consensus was made on the name of Nasir Aslam Zahid. Justice (retd) Tariq pervaiz is so far the only probable candidate for who the government and opposition are holding consultations to reach a consensus.
Currently, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali is the acting CEC and the apex court had ruled that after the deadline expires, the acting CEC will stop discharging his additional duties and the seat will remain vacant until the appointment of permanent CEC.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk