Voters lists issue is of public interest: CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said the issue of preparation of electoral rolls is of public interest, if elections are announced today then what would happen, Geo News reported.

The Supreme Court (SC) on February 29 has sought the explanation from National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for violating a court order on bogus electoral lists.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the cases filed by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The ECP in its reply stated that the commission came to know about SC's July 04, 2011 order on December 20, 2011. The members of ECP were elected on June 13, 2011.

PPP's Jahangir Badar appeared before the bench on behalf of Benazir Bhutto and said the ECP be instructed to provide voters’ lists to political parties and publish them on website. The SC has the authority to issue orders to the commission on voters’ lists issue, he added.

During the proceedings, the CJ remarked that the commission is not following court’s orders. The issue is of public interest and it is important to handle it on merit.

Later, the hearing was adjourned till March 14.