The High Court of Islamabad (IHC) issued pre-admission opinions to the federal government, the Prime Minister and the President for the appointment of the election commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP).
The opinions were issued following a petition filed by the opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, which questions the delay in strengthening the crucial positions.
The case was heard by judge Muhammad Azam Khan, who also directed opinions to the members of the CEC and the ECP.
The lawyer for the petitioners, Sameer Khosa, argued that the members of the CEC and the ECP continue to serve despite the expiration of their conditions, which, according to him, violates the constitutional provisions.
The court asked if the appointment process had started, to which Khosa replied that the parliamentary committee responsible for the process had not yet been trained.
The court asked for a response from all the parties concerned and adjourned the hearing until April 29. The delay in the appointment of electoral officials has raised concerns about the operation of the PCE, in particular in the accounting of future elections.
