LAHORE, Aug 17: Justice Tassaduq Husain Jilani of the Supreme Court on Saturday took oath as acting chief election commissioner.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry administered oath to Justice Jilani at a ceremony held at Lahore registry of the apex court.

Many sitting judges, including Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and SC Registrar Dr Faqeer Husain attended the ceremony.

Punjab Election Commissioner Mahboob Anwar, Election Commission member Justice Riaz Kiyani (retired) and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday (retired) were among the participants.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Mian Israrul Haq, Secretary Javed Iqbal Raja and a large number of lawyers were also present on the occasion.

After taking oath as acting CEC, Justice Jilani told newsmen that army personnel would be deployed at 2,000 sensitive polling stations for the upcoming by-election. He said strict security arrangements would be ensured during the polls. He said presiding officers would be authorised to punish violators of election code of conduct on the spot.

Responding to a media query about constitutional powers of the CEC to set aside decision of the Supreme Court, Justice Jilani said the Constitution clearly explained the issue.

The office of the CEC had fallen vacant after Fakharuddin G. Ebrahim resigned on July 31 apparently in reaction to a Supreme Court’s decision about rescheduling of the presidential election.