ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the government to proceed in accordance with the law after a draw decided that the commission members from Sindh and Balochistan would be retiring on Jan 26 next year.

Informed sources told Dawn that a letter had been sent to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, pointing out that draw of lots under Article 215 of the Constitution had taken place.

“The ball is now in the government’s court. We have given them a month and a half by holding a timely draw,” a senior ECP official said.

Article 213 of the Constitution outlines the process of appointment of ECP members. According to it, the prime minister, in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly, is required to forward three names each for appointment to every vacant position of ECP member “to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of any one person”.

In case, there is no consensus between the prime minister and the opposition leader, each of them would forward separate lists to the parliamentary committee.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2018