Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai has formally pressed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to fill the vacant top posts at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), warning that delays undermine the body's credibility. His letter, dated August 10 and made available to Dawn, targets the chief election commissioner's office and the two member slots representing Sindh and Balochistan. The statutory terms of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and the two provincial members expired on January 26, 2025, yet all three continue serving under a legal provision inserted by the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Achakzai, who heads both the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, framed the matter as a "critical constitutional duty" requiring immediate action. Main Developments Achakzai's letter invokes Article 213(2A), which obligates the prime minister to forward three names for the CEC post to a Parliamentary Committee, in consultation with the NA opposition leader. He also cited Article 218(2)(b), which applies the same consultation requirement to provincial ECP member appointments. Read also: Noreen Niazi Gets Transit Bail in Peca Case, Must Face Islamabad Court The opposition leader argues that filling these offices is "essential for maintaining the operational continuity, independence, and credibility of the commission." His appeal extends beyond the letter itself—he briefed TTAP members on the matter during a Monday meeting, according to the party's X account. TTAP's meeting expressed astonishment that the current officials continue serving past their constitutional terms without the prime minister initiating the appointment process. The party declared an independent election commission essential for "fair, transparent, and free elections" and urged Sharif to meet with the opposition leader promptly. Background The constitutional timeline required appointments within 45 days of the vacancies arising, setting a March 12, 2025 deadline. That deadline passed without action, partly because no officially notified leader of the opposition existed in the National Assembly at the time. The 26th Constitutional Amendment's proviso to Article 215(1) created the legal basis for the incumbents' extended tenure, allowing them to remain until successors are appointed. This provision is what currently keeps Raja and the two members in office beyond their five-year terms. Complicating matters, the ECP refused on July 30 to recognise Achakzai as PkMAP chairman due to the party's failure to conduct intra-party elections. Why It Matters The prolonged vacancy at the ECP's helm raises questions about the commission's operational independence during a period when electoral credibility is under scrutiny. With an opposition leader formally demanding action, the delay has become a constitutional flashpoint between the government and opposition. Achakzai's dual role as NA opposition leader and party chairman gives his appeal institutional weight, even as his party recognition remains contested. The outcome will test whether the consultation mechanism between the prime minister and opposition can function effectively under current political conditions. What's Next The prime minister's office has not publicly responded to the letter, leaving the timeline for initiating consultations unclear. If Sharif acts on the request, the next step would be forwarding three names for the CEC post to the Parliamentary Committee for confirmation. Separate but parallel processes would be needed for the Sindh and Balochistan member positions, each requiring the same prime minister-opposition leader consultation. Until then, the incumbent officials will continue serving under the constitutional amendment's proviso.