IHC Sends Notices to PM and President Over Delay in CEC, ECP Appointments

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued pre-admission notices to the federal government, prime minister, and president over the delay in appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The court was hearing a petition filed by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, challenging the continued tenure of the incumbent CEC and ECP members despite the expiration of their terms.

Notices were also issued to the Chief Election Commissioner and existing ECP members. Advocate Sameer Khosa, representing the petitioners, argued that the constitutional posts were being held beyond their mandated term, violating legal provisions.

During the proceedings, the court inquired whether the appointment process for a new CEC and ECP members had started. Senior lawyer Latif Khosa informed the court that no such process had been initiated, adding that a parliamentary committee needed to be formed to begin the process.

Read more: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari Vows to Combat TB on World Tuberculosis Day

The court sought responses from the Federation, the Prime Minister through his Principal Secretary, and the President via the Secretary. Notices were also issued to the Chief Election Commissioner and ECP members.

The hearing was adjourned until April 29.