ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary committee on electoral reforms could not finalise on Monday the draft bill seeking to amend seven articles of the Constitution relating to the Election Commission of Pakistan because representatives of the Pakistan Tehreelei-Insaf and National Party sought more time to consult their party leadership.

The draf t bill is seeking to create room for appointment of non-judicial officers as chief election commissioner and members of the ECP.

A participant of the meeting said the PTI and NP wanted to include the head of any organisation in the list of eligible candidates. The issue was likely to be addressed in the next two days, he added.

Under the amended law, a retired judge of the SupremeCourt or a person qualified to be a judge of the apex court or a senior government servant or a technocrat could be considered for the post of CEC and a retired judge of a high court or a person qualified to be appointed as judge of a high court or a government servant for appointment as ECP member.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the parliamentary panel, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said 90 per cent work on constitutional amendments relating to the laws governing the electoral processes had been completed.

He expressed the hope that the draft law would be finalised on Tuesday and presented before the National Assembly in a couple of days.

The new law will do away with the mandatory requirement of appointing CEC and four ECP members from thejudiciary and create room for appointment of senior government officers and technocrats to these positions.

It also sets maximum age limit for the CEC at 68 years and for ECP members at65.

Articles 213 and 218 of the Constitution outline the process of appointment of CEC and ECP members, respectively.

The prime minister, in consultation with the opposition leader, is required to forward three names for appointment to every vacant position of ECP `to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of any one person` Incase thereisnoconsensus between the prime minister and the opposition leader, they will forward separate lists to the committee for consideration and confirmation of any one individual.