People’s Party leader Senator Raza Rabbani met Justice (retd) Bhagwandas yesterday to convince him to accept the CEC office but the retired Supreme Court judge declined to accept the top election office due to personal reasons.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah are consulting over the matter to reach to a swift decision after Supreme Court asked the government to finalise the appointment of a new ECP chief by Nov 13. The apex court has also warned to withdraw Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who is currently acting as the interim head of the election commission.
After refusal of Justice (retd) Bhagwandas, former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has emerged as the strong candidate for the office.
According to sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition Khursheed Shah and other parties in the parliament have been agreed over the name of Justice Jillani.
Khursheed Shah will take the PTI into confidence over the nomination of the former chief justice.
The name of Justice Jillani will be finalized on return of the prime minister from his visit of China, sources added.
