The number of Supreme Court justices will increase from 14 to 26. Experts say, “The justice appointment system needs to be more transparent.”

The controversy surrounding the request for the appointment of Supreme Court judges has escalated with the appointment of 14 to 26 individuals, according to legal experts. They argue that the need for a transparent and fair appointment system has become more pressing with the introduction of the Supreme Court Judges Recruitment Act.

The act stipulates that the Supreme Court Chief Justice will nominate 26 judges, including the next Chief Justice, by 2028. The head of the Supreme Court Judicial Selection Committee (Selection Committee) must recommend at least three times as many candidates as the Chief Justice nominates. The Selection Committee consists of three senior judges, four non-judicial officials, and three individuals recommended by the Chief Justice for their expertise and reputation.

Legal scholars suggest that the Selection Committee's composition should be restructured to include more representative figures, and the number of recommended candidates reduced to lessen the discretion of the Chief Justice and the Chief Justice. They argue that the appointment process should be more transparent and objective, and that the Chief Justice should be compelled to follow the Selection Committee's recommendations.

The Chief Justice's discretion in appointing judges is currently based solely on the Selection Committee's recommendations. Legal experts believe that the appointment process should be more public and accountable, with details of the Chief Justice's meetings with the Selection Committee made public.