Mazari to head parliamentary body tasked with CEC, ECP members' appointments.

Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari has been elected chairperson of the parliamentary committee on the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission (ECP).

Two Senate standing committees also elected their chairs during meetings at Parliament House on Tuesday.

Dr Mazari's name came up as a candidate for the chairpersonship during the parliamentary committee, which finalised her appointment after some deliberation.

The parliamentary committee will appoint two ECP members for Sindh and Balochistan, to replace members retiring on Jan 26 after two and a half years in office.

The mechanism for the retirement of ECP members after completing half a term was set up through the 22nd Amendment, to ensure continuity.

The amendment was made to prevent a repeat of 2010, when four members retired together and the commission was virtually non-functional for months.

The legality of around two dozen by-elections held by the CEC alone during this time was also challenged.

In its amended form, Article 215 reads: 'The Commissioner [and a member] shall, subject to this Article, hold office for a term of five years from the day he enters upon his office.'

A proviso states: 'Provided that two of the members shall retire after the expiration of first two and a half years and two shall retire after the expiration of the next two and a half years: Provided further that the Commission shall for the first term of office of members draw a lot as to which two members shall retire after the...