The Constitution Review Committee has proposed a complete overhaul of how key public officials are appointed, alongside new rules governing elections and presidential transitions.
The report introduces a four-tier classification of public offices, executive, independent, hybrid-independent and hybrid-executive, each with tailored appointment procedures designed to limit excessive presidential discretion.
For independent constitutional offices such as the Electoral Commission, Auditor-General and Chief Justice, the committee recommends binding the president to nominations from reformed bodies like the Council of State or Judicial Council, following competitive and merit-based selection processes.
If adopted, the proposal would overturn the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling that allowed presidents to disregard advice from constitutionally mandated bodies.
To further insulate these offices, the committee proposed fixed terms that are not co-terminus with a president’s tenure, mandatory filling of vacancies within 90 days, and a ban on interim appointments made outside prescribed procedures.
On elections, the committee recommended shifting presidential polls to the first week of November, extending the transition period to two months. It also proposed stricter timelines for presidential election petitions, requiring the Supreme Court to conclude cases within 30 days.
The report further introduces restrictions on presidential powers during the post-election transition period, barring last-minute appointments, major contracts, asset sales and urgent legislation. Any action taken in violation of these limits would be deemed void.
