Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have completed one year in office beyond the expiry of their constitutionally mandated five-year terms, amid delays in initiating the appointment of their successors.
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The terms of the CEC and two ECP members ended on January 26, 2025. Under Article 215(4) of the Constitution, fresh appointments were required within 45 days of the vacancies. However, a proviso added through the 26th Constitutional Amendment allows incumbents to continue in office until successors are appointed, a provision currently being invoked as the appointment process remains stalled.
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja completes one year in office past his tenure expiry protected by 26th Amendment. Notification of Mehmood Khan Achakzai as Opposition Leader clears way for new appointments. Civil society urges PM to start consultation immediately.#ECP #SikandarSultanRaja pic.twitter.com/92L7EUck8m
— Our Globe Media (@OurGlobeMedia) January 26, 2026
For several months, the delay was attributed to the absence of a formally notified leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, a key constitutional participant in the consultation process. With Mehmood Khan Achakzai now officially notified as opposition leader, analysts say a major procedural hurdle has been removed.
Muddasir Rizvi of the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) said the notification had unlocked several pending constitutional and statutory appointments, including those of the chief election commissioner, ECP members, and heads of other oversight bodies. While noting that the incumbents’ continuation is constitutionally valid, he urged the government to initiate consultations immediately to avoid prolonged extensions.
Ahmad Bilal Mehboob of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) also called for prompt action, saying the prime minister should take the lead in starting the appointment process. He warned that extended tenures could undermine institutional credibility and public confidence.
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Mr Raja’s tenure has drawn sustained criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, particularly over the conduct of the 2024 general elections. Allegations have focused on delays in polls, handling of results, and decisions regarding party symbols and reserved seats. The ECP has repeatedly rejected the criticism, maintaining that it acted strictly in accordance with the law and constitutional provisions.