Islamabad, Dec 2 (IANS): The Pakistan Supreme Court Tuesday said that if a chief election commissioner (CEC) is not appointed by Dec 5, it will consider issuing a notice to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, was hearing the case pertaining to the appointment of a permanent CEC, Dawn online reported.

The notice would also be issued to Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah.

During the hearing, Attorney General Salman Butt was unable to convince the court in writing that the CEC post would be filled by Dec 5.

Monday, the court had directed Butt to provide assurance to the apex court that the appointment of a new CEC would be made before the court's Dec 5 deadline expires.

The hearing of the case was subsequently adjourned to Dec 8.

The CEC office has been vacant for over 16 months after the retirement of Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim.

Earlier, the court had set Oct 28, Nov 13, Nov 24 as deadlines for the appointment of a new CEC.