ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) vice president Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday underscored that an honest and independent-minded Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was needed who would not be politically influenced.

"The sustainability of elections relies on the impartiality of the CEC as well as the commission and all political parties mutually agree that a clean election is of vital importance to democracy," he said while speaking to media representatives after meeting with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah.

“Now that the post of CEC is vacant, it is important that it is filled in by an honest candidate,” he said.

The PTI vice president said electoral reforms were needed in the country because the present commission had failed and it was imperative that their mistakes were rectified. He also alleged that the 2013 elections had not been conducted in a fair and transparent manner, adding that a transparent election was crucial for democracy to function smoothly.

Qureshi also said that on behalf of the PTI, he did not accept the current election commission, adding that if it was to hold the next election, then the PTI would not accept the electoral results.

The PTI vice president said that Khursheed Shah had previously announced three names as contenders for the office of CEC, but the PTI had named Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid for the position.

He said the party had nominated Justice Zahid due to his honest reputation and intellect, adding that he was also highly respected in the legal fraternity.

He said the government, in contrast, had suggested individuals with political affiliations who he stopped short of naming.

Separately, he said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was still willing to hold talks with Nawaz Sharif and that this option was never off the table.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Nawaz had met with Khursheed Shah at the Prime Minister House in the federal capital and had discussed names for the post of CEC. Following the meeting, former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and retired Justice Tariq Pervez Khan emerged as the most likely contenders for the post.

Take a look: Tassaduq Jillani, Tariq Pervez main contenders for CEC office