ISLAMABAD- Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday said that there was no hurdle from the opposition in the appointment of the new chief election commissioner (CEC).
In a statement, Nisar said the deadlock would only be there when the government tried to impose a person of its choice on the coveted post.
He said the view of PML-N on the issue was quite clear, adding that his party would propose a panel of people having backing of opposition parties within and outside the National Assembly.
He said though, it was not a constitutional requirement but to promote healthy democratic traditions, the PML-N would respect the view point of other parties which had no representation in the assemblies. Nisar said the PML-N had given a panel of persons to the parliamentary committee to consult Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, PPP (Sherpao) Tehrik-e-Insaf, National Party and Sindh nationalist parties.
He said the leader of the opposition would neither nominate any persons for the office of CEC nor support the nominee of the government who did not enjoy the support of all opposition parties.
Nisar said the appointment of CEC was possible immediately if the objective was to organise free, fair and transparent elections. However, he was of the opinion that the government was not sincere in it.
He said the PML-N would adopt a similar course of action for the appointment of caretaker government and propose names of people who held clean past and enjoyed good reputation.