Open hiring

This is with reference to the letter, 'CEC on merit' (Dec 5) by Col (r) Riaz Jafri letter on the appointment of the chief election commissioner. The writer has suggested that the nomination be made purely on merit and has suggested that the senio- most judge of the superior courts be made CEC.

Out of 17 CECs only four have been bureaucrats. When you talk about merit, one cannot restrict selection to a particular class – it has to be an open merit. Since this is not a specialized job let the post be advertised and selection be made through a high-powered board instead of leaving this at the mercy of politicians; this should equally be applicable to ECP members. Time to legislate on all controversial issues and make systems transparent to end political interference.

Lt-Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt

Karachi