Parliamentary leaders trade blows over Pakistan election chief selection process

The speaker and opposition leader of Pakistan's lower house of parliament traded accusations on Tuesday over delays in forming a committee crucial for appointing the country's new election chief, deepening a political crisis that has left the electoral body in limbo since January.

Speaking during a Private Member's Day session of the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub raised concerns about the committee's formation after being granted the microphone — a procedural exception possible because the usual Question Hour restrictions were not in effect.

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub's office said it has not received the speaker's letter requesting nominations for the parliamentary committee, despite Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's assertion of having sent such requests "to the house."

The standoff comes amid growing concerns over the leadership of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), whose chief Sikandar Sultan Raja and two members have remained in office past their January 26 retirement date under a controversial constitutional amendment passed last year. The amendment allows outgoing election officials to continue serving until their successors are appointed.

Under Pakistan's constitution, the prime minister must consult with the opposition leader to propose candidates for the election commissioner's post. If they fail to agree, the matter goes to a parliamentary committee with equal representation from both sides. The committee must include eight members from the National Assembly and four from the Senate.

The delay is particularly significant as it affects not only the chief election commissioner's position but also two ECP members from the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, whose terms have also expired. The constitution requires these positions to be filled within 45 days of a vacancy.

Background

Pakistan's electoral landscape has been in flux since the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in 2024, which allows election officials to continue serving after their terms expire until successors are appointed. The amendment came into focus when Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and two Election Commission members from Sindh and Balochistan completed their terms on January 26, 2025.

On January 23, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub wrote to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq requesting the formation of this parliamentary committee. However, government legal advisor Barrister Aqeel Malik argues this move was premature, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has yet to begin the required consultations.

Historical precedent suggests such delays can lead to judicial intervention. In both 2014 and 2019, similar deadlocks over election commissioner appointments required the Supreme Court to intervene when the government and opposition failed to reach consensus.