MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir said that the current Prime Minister Anwarul Haq’s lack of interest in constitutional matters is the primary reason for the delay of the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner.
The crucial post of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Azad Kashmir has remained vacant for four and a half months, sparking concerns about the state’s democratic process.
Talking to Kashmir Digital, the senior politician said that the AJK Constitution, under Article 50, mandates that the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition should send three to five names to the Chairman Kashmir Council, who would then finalize one name for the Chief Election Commissioner position.
However, the Prime Minister seems to be searching for ways to alter the constitutional procedure, he said.
“The absence of a Chief Election Commissioner raises concerns about the country’s ability to hold free and fair elections, particularly with elections scheduled for next year,” he added.
Shah Ghulam Qadir emphasized that constitutional positions cannot remain vacant and that the Prime Minister should have consulted with the leadership before the former Chief Election Commissioner’s retirement on January 13 to agree on potential candidates.
Qadir expressed frustration over the delay and said that he wrote to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and the Chairman Kashmir Council, highlighting the constitutional violation.
“The opposition leaders, including the Muslim League, are pushing for the appointment of a Chief Election Commissioner, with some suggesting that the current delay might be due to political interests.”
