Govt, opposition agree over Rana Bhagwan Das as new CEC
Constitution will be amended to remove the obstacle.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Government and opposition have agreed to appoint Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas as new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Dunya News reported on Thursday.
According to sources, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and opposition leader Khursheed Shah established contact to discuss the matter of appointment of new Chief Election Commissioner following which Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas’s candidacy was mutually agreed upon.
The leaders also agreed to repeal constitutional obstacle in Rana’s appointment; an amendment bill will be presented in national assembly tomorrow (Friday).
According to current constitutional position, chairman FPC cannot be appointed on constitutional post immediately after employment tenure.
Earlier, the federal government had sought a time of two weeks for appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) from Supreme Court.
A three-member bench of apex court headed by Justice Saqib Nisar heard the case pertaining to the permanent appointment of Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday.
During the course of proceedings, deputy attorney general apprised the court about a meeting of attorney general with the government while requested the court to extend the deadline by two weeks.
Justice Saqib said that the court had already given a one-month time for appointment on February 19, adding that more time will not be given.
The court will issue appropriate order if CEC was not appointed till March 19, he added.
The case was adjourned till March 20.
