Responsibilities of chief election commissioner of Pakistan have direct impact on democratic process and sustainable economic development. (Sajid Imtiaz)

1. Key Role of
Pakistan CEC
For Advanced Performance
Chief election commissioner is
one of key constitutional
positions in Pakistan. President
of Pakistan appoints chief
election commissioner to
conduct free, fair and
transparent elections. Several
political parties and NGOs have
been objecting appointment of
former CEC, justice Fakharuddin
G. Ibrahim for his 80+ years of
age. No doubt justice
Fakharuddin enjoys good
reputation in Pakistan
particularly in Karachi but he
could not be able to hold free
and fair general elections in May
2013.
Renewal of electoral rolls annually
is an important task of chief
election commissioner besides
scrutinizing assets and academic
credentials of candidates and
elected representatives. The
position of chief election
commissioner is still vacant
whereas local government
elections are at hand. Justice
Nasir-ul-Mulk is serving as acting
chief election commissioner.
There has been demand for a non-
judicial election commissioner.
Can a Pakistani professional
woman hold august position of
chief election commissioner?
Answer is yes.
Team of President of Pakistan is
looking for a competent and
honest person. Proposed few
names are Dr. Farooq Hasan, Bilal
Mehbub, Adil Gillani and
Musharraf Hai. Let us not forget
about killing of candidates and
voters during election campaigns.
Be the next CEC a female or male,
a non-judicial or judicial person,
the incumbent must perform key
responsibilities systematically and
timely. Voters and political parties
are anxiously waiting for result-
oriented electoral development
instead of cosmetic make-up.
Sajid Imtiaz: Bureau Chief Islamabad, Daily Porihyo