ISLAMABAD: Justice (r) Tassaduq Jillani has declined from being a nominee as the next chief election commissioner (CEC), DawnNews reported.

Sources said that Jillani declined from being nominated due to the controversy surrounding the post.

Jillani and Justice (r) Tariq Pervez Khan had emerged as the most likely contenders for the office of CEC.

The two retired judges topped the list of five candidates whose names came under discussion at a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah.

Read also: Who will the new chief election commissioner be?

Jillani was a front runner for the office of the CEC and has already served as an acting CEC from August 17 to November 30, 2013.

He assumed the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) in December 2013 after the retirement of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Justice Jillani retired as CJP in July this year.