ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Thursday said a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will be finalised within next two to three days.

Speaking to media representatives following a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has discussed Saaeduz Zaman Siddiqui, Rana Bhagwan Das and Ajmal Mian for the post of the CEC.

“It is our desire to appoint the CEC with consensus and for that purpose I will also consult with other opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to take them into confidence in this regard,” Shah said.

Speaking to reporters, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi later confirmed that the opposition leader contacted his party to consult on the appointment of CEC, adding that PTI has recommended Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid for the position.

Sources close to the development regarding the appointment of CEC told Dawn that the government was not interested in appointing Ajmal Mian, while the PPP had objections on the appointment of Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui.

It is pertinent to mention here that the office of CEC has been vacant since the resignation of Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim in August 2013.