LAHORE, April 7: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry urged on Sunday night the returning officers to discharge their duties of holding free and fair elections with full devotion as a single mistake by them would bring a bad name to the judiciary.

He was speaking to district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers here at the Punjab Judicial Academy.

He said organizing free, fair and transparent election was the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan, but to achieve this objective it needed institutional support. The judicial officers had been deputed to assist the ECP.

“You should not be influenced by any of the pressure from any party or the politician. I am sure you will discharge this duty honestly,” the CJP said.

He reminded the officers that they were performing their job in the supreme national interest, and hoped that this new phase in the national history would bring true representatives for the nation. “Your role is very crucial and I am sure you will meet the expectations of the nation as well as of your own institution,” he said.

BANDIAL: Earlier, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial addressed district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers of eight districts at Punjab Judicial Academy. The ROs presented their problems on the occasion.

Bandial asked them to write directly to the ECP if they faced any difficulty or inconvenience and non-cooperation on the part of dealing agencies and also send a copy to the Lahore High Court. He said the LHC would help them solve the problem.

The chief justice said that it was a tribute to their abilities to conduct the forthcoming elections which would enhance their credibility. “You will be working as field officers and have to take practical steps while working as DROs, ROs and AROs,” he added.