ISLAMABAD (Agencies): President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday signed off on a controversial bill to appoint retired high court judges to poll tribunals to settle electoral disputes.
The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, empowers the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to appoint retired high court judges to elections tribunals without the need to consult chief justices of the relevant apex courts..
The bill was passed by both the National Assembly on June 28 and Senate on July 4 despite severe protest by the opposition.
A statement from the President House said the bill was approved under Article 75 of the Constitution and now became an act.
“After the amendment, in case of appointment of a serving judge in the election tribunal, the chief justice of the concerned high court will be consulted,” the statement said.