Amendment to extend CEC’s term being considered

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja’s five-year tenure has only four months remaining, and the federal government is seriously considering a proposal to reappoint him for a new term through a constitutional amendment.

According to sources, the proposed amendment seeks to modify Article 215 of the Constitution, enabling the reappointment of the chief election commissioner and members of the election commission for another term through a majority vote in the National Assembly and Senate.

The sources say that Sikandar Sultan Raja’s current tenure as CEC will end on January 26, 2025. The federal government plans to extend his term for another five years, but this requires an amendment to the Constitution, as it is currently not permissible under existing laws. The government is reportedly working on a proposal to amend Article 215 of the Constitution to facilitate his reappointment. Under this amendment, the CEC or commission members would remain in office until new appointments are made, with the reappointment decided by a majority resolution in both the National Assembly and Senate.

Sikandar Sultan Raja’s appointment as CEC was officially notified on January 24, 2020, following approval by then president. The Ministry of Law and Justice then issued the notification. He was sworn in on January 27, 2020, by the then chief justice of Pakistan, Gulzar Ahmed.