ISLAMABAD: The rift between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) widened on Monday when the former objected to PPP’s chairmanship of the 12-member parliamentary committee formed to appoint the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), DawnNews reported.
Although, the Supreme Court’s judge, Justice Shakirullah Jan is performing duties as an interim CEC, however, the newly appointed permanent CEC could face the critical issue of deciding Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s eligibility over SC’s contempt of court verdict against the premier.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza also has a say in it, as, according to political and constitutional experts, she had to give her opinion in the event that someone approaches her and asks her for a legal opinion.
Otherwise, the matter would automatically be transferred to the election commission.
“She can say that no question arises of the prime minister’s disqualification as a member of the house after the SC ruling, and forward her opinion to the election commission. In this case, the election commission will not have to proceed any further. But her opinion can be challenged in the SC,” seasoned politician and constitutional expert former Senator S.M. Zafar told Dawn.
After PML-N’s objection over Khurshid Shah’s appointment to head the committee, the secretary National Assembly chaired today’s meeting and decided to call one again on Tuesday to settle the issue of appointing committee’s chairman.
The PML-N has a representation of five members in the committee of 12 and the committee, with the consent of at least nine members, can settle the issue of appointing new CEC.
The prime minister has already given three names for the post while the PML-N will reveal its three names in the next few days.
Opposition Leader in the NA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that his party will back a candidate from minor provinces.
The committee will be legally bound to settle the appointment of new CEC within next 14 days after receiving names of the candidates however, in failure to do so, Justice Shakirullah Jan will continue working as an interim chief election commissioner.