ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election authority gets new three new members as President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Justice Faisal Arbab, Justice Hameed-ur-Rehman and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel in the commission.

In an official handout the presidential spokesman said the appointments have been in consultation with the chief justices of the respective high courts and the election commissioner.

Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the appointments were made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The election commission comprises four members, to be chosen from each of the provincial high courts and a chairman. The three appointments come after the exit of the so-called PCO judges who were removed or made to resign as high court judges after the 31st July verdict of the apex court.

The spokesman said that the member from the NWFP province will be appointed later.

He said that according to Article 218(2) of the Constitution the Election Commission consists of the Commissioner, and four members. Each of the four members is to be a judge of a high court from each of the provinces appointed by the president after consultation with the Chief Justices of the high courts concerned and with the Commissioner.

The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan after consultation with the Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, High Court of Sindh and the High Court of Balochistan had recommended the names of these judges for their appointment as Members Election Commission. The nomination of a judge as member from NWFP will be decided later. —DawnNews