Upcoming polls: Uphold Constitution in scrutiny process, ROs told

CJ says judiciary is given mammoth task of giving ECP institutional support.

HYDERABAD:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry reminded returning officers on Saturday that only those candidates who fulfill the constitutional criteria should get through to the scrutiny process.

“People have the right to choose their representatives, but during the scrutiny process, you must make sure that the candidate is one who fulfils the constitutional criteria,” the chief justice said while addressing returning officers (ROs), district returning officers and assistant returning officers in a meeting late Friday night.

“Traditional notions for participating in the elections, in order to gain power by hook or crook, through the use of force or in a deceitful manner, are to be guarded against,” Chaudhry added.

The meeting was attended by judicial officers from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Tando Allahyar and Mirpurkhas districts.

The chief justice asked the officers to give their specific complaints and demands in their respective districts. However, details of his interaction with the ROs were not disclosed.

Chaudhry observed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is responsible for conducting the elections and the judiciary is giving the ECP institutional support.

He said the judicial officers are deputed in the election process to protect the nation’s interest.

“Faith in the judiciary was put forward forcefully by the voters. You have been given this cause to organise the elections,” he said.

“I congratulate you, that the civil society, media and the whole nation has entrusted you with the great task of supervising the elections.”

The chief justice said that judicial supervision of the elections is an act of ensuring the enforcement of the edicts of the Constitution. He warned officers that if they failed to uphold the constitution, a credible democratic structure will not be established and there will be a deterioration of the political system.

Quoting the apex court’s judgment in Imran Khan vs ECP case, Chaudry said: “Elections must not only be held in a fair and honest manner, but they should also inspire the confidence of the electorate.”

He said the voter is one of the most important stakeholders in polls, and his or her participation in the elections depends upon how effectively the officials supervising the elections perform their duties. He asked the civil servants to resist influence of the ‘political bosses’ as the Supreme Court has provided protection to their jobs in the judgment of Anita Turab case.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2013.