New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has deferred his oath taking as Jammu and Kashmir Information Commission chief today since his successor at the CIC is yet to be appointed.

"I was planning to take oath of office today but I have been asked to continue till the new Chief Information Commissioner is decided. I cannot join the new office until relieved from my duties here," Habibullah told PTI.

As per the law, the charge of the CIC cannot be handed over to any other person on ad hoc basis. Even if Habibullah wishes to do so, the new person's name needs to be ratified by a three-member committee.

The committee that is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and one minister from the Cabinet, selects the Information Commissioner at the CIC, he said.