Opposition fears 'constitutional crisis'.

Byline: Javaid-ur-Rahman

ISLAMABAD -- The opposition parties in the Parliament believe delay in appointment of ECP members from Sindh and Balochistan may lead to a 'constitutional crisis.'

The main opposition parties (PPP and PML-N) members from parliamentary committee on appointment of the ECP members suggested the Prime Minister to immediately hold important meeting with opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif to avoid creating constitutional gap.

The ECP members Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and Justice retired Shakeel Baloch from Sindh and Balochistan had retired on January 26, 2019 and their replacements under the Constitution should have been appointed by March 12, 2019. The government has missed constitutional deadline for appointing the members within 45 days.

According to article 215(4) of the Constitution, 'Vacancy in the office of the commissioner or a member shall be filled within 45 days.' Around two weeks have passed after the expiry of the deadline but no consultation was conducted on this matter.

Under the prescribed rules and procedures (Articles 213 and 218 of the Constitution), 'The PM in consultation with the opposition leader forwards three names for the appointment of the chief election commissioner or a commission [ECP] member to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of one name.'

Prime Minister Imran Khan has so far not held any meeting with opposition leader in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, to consult for the fresh appointment of members.

The PTI government has suggested the names of Dr. Salahuddin Mengal, a technocrat and ex-advocate general of Balochistan, Mahmud Raza Khan, former additional advocate general of Balochistan and Raja Aamir Abbasi, ex-deputy prosecutor general of National Accountability Bureau for their nomination as member of the ECP from the province.

From Sindh, the government has suggested the names of Mohammad Nadeem Qureshi, ex-member judicial (judge of the customs appellate tribunal)...