KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Thursday observed that the conduct of free and fair election spoke highly of the sagacity and wisdom of the district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers.

The role of the district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers was of prime importance for conducting election in a free and fair manner, the chief justice said, while addressing them at a meeting that was also attended by Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam and other SHC judges.

The induction of judicial officers in the electoral process was significant at this critical juncture when the country was confronted with many crises, he said.“The judicial officers have been chosen for this task of national importance, which will prove a paradigm shift in shaping the destiny of our country,” he said.

He told the judicial officers that the induction of the judiciary in the election process meant that they would not be influenced by any political party or politician.

“Similarly, you will not support any political party or any political leader,” he added.

The CJP told the judicial officers that people had immense expectations from them. He advised the judicial officers to be mindful of the fact that voters had the right to access to information with reference to the credential of a candidate he was going to vote for.

CJP Chaudhary, however, said all efforts for conducting transparent elections would go in vain if steps were not taken for improving the law and order situation during polls by the executive.

Therefore, he said, it was need of the hour for all stakeholders to join hands with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for conducting free and fair elections.

The chief justice said that arranging and organising free, fair and transparent election was the constitutional responsibility of the ECP, but to achieve this object, the ECP needed institutional support and strength.