President Zardari approves Election (Amendment) Bill 2024

President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Election (Amendment) Bill 2024 into law on Monday, allowing for the appointment of retired judges to election tribunals.

The president gave his approval under Article 75 of the Constitution, making the Election Bill an act and legally enforceable, a press release issued by the President's House read.

Under the bill, the chief election commissioner is authorised to appoint retired judges to the tribunal. For the appointment of high court judges to the tribunal, the commissioner is required to consult with the chief justices of the High Courts.

It is noteworthy that the higher judiciary had severely criticised the introduction of ordinances instead of laws. The Election Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly on June 28 and by the Senate on July 8.