[DoctoBuntonTen]

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari on the advice of the prime minister assented to the appointment of Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim as the chief election commissioner (CEC) during a special signing ceremony held at the Presidency.The Parliamentary Committee on Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had agreed with consensus on the nomination of Justice (r) Fakhruddin. Accordingly, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs requested the prime minister to advise the president to accord his assent to the said nomination. Those who were present during the ceremony included among others Farooq H Naek, Law Minister, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Syed Khursheed Shah, Islam-ud-Din Sheikh, Haji Muhammad Adeel, Chaudhry Manzoor, Salman Faruqui, Farhatullah Babar, Rukhsana Bangash and others.The president, on the occasion, felicitated the members of the parliamentary panel for reaching consensus on the name of Fakhruddin, demonstrating political maturity and wisdom at this critical time when the appointment of a consensus CEC was of absolute importance for credible elections. He said the appointment of a consensus personality would enhance confidence in the elections and the electoral process, which was critical to the political stability and orderly transfer of power. Zardari also felicitated Fakhruddin, saying the consensus-based nomination by all the political parties was a reflection of his standing and the confidence unto him.The president remarked the appointment was an important step forward in consolidating democratic process and expressed the hope that it would contribute to political stability in the country.