52. Proceedings for challenges of members of court. -The order convening the court and the names of the presiding officer and members of the court shall them be read over to the accused and he shall be asked, as required by section 129, whether he objects to be tried by any officer sitting on the court. Any such objections shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of section 129.
Provided that-
(a) The accused shall state the names of all the officers to whom he object before any objection is disposed of,
(b) The accused may call any person to give evidence in support of his objection, and such person may be questioned by the accused and by the court;
(c) If more than one officer is objected to, the objection to each officer shall be disposed of separately, and the objection in respect of that officer lowest in rank shall be disposed of first; and on an objection to an officer, the remaining officers of the court shall in the absence of the challenged officer, vote on the disposal of such objection notwithstanding that objections have also been to any of them officers;
(d) When an objection to an officer is allowed that officer shall forth with retire, and take no further part in the proceedings;
(e) When an officer objected to retires, and there are any officers in waiting, the vacancy shall be forthwith filled by one of the officers in waiting being directed by the presiding officer to serve in lieu of the retiring officer. If there is no officer in waiting available, the court shall proceed as directed by rule 44;
(f) The eligibility, absence of disqualification, and freedom from objection of an officer filling a vacancy shall be ascertained by the court, as in the case of other officers appointed to serve on the court.
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