Three names shortlisted for Pakistan CEC post

The Pakistan government and opposition leaders Wednesday shortlisted the names of three retired judges for the post of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), media reported.

Justice (retd) Sardar Mohammad Raza, Justice (retd) Tariq Pervez and Justice (retd) Tanvir Ahmed Khan have been shortlisted for the post of CEC by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, Dawn online reported.

"We succeeded in shortlisting three names for the CEC post," Shah said.

Dar said that the issue pertaining to the appointment of a new CEC will be resolved before Dec 5 as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

The finance minister said that he will forward the names of the three judges to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Wednesday.

Senator Rafiq Rajwana, the head of a 12-member parliamentary committee, said that as per the law, the committee would consider the list and develop a consensus on one name.

"If we fail to reach a consensus, then voting will take place and the new CEC will be appointed through a two-third majority," he said.