Section 26. A majority of the supreme judicial court, in consultation with the chief justice of the trial court shall design and implement a program for performance evaluation of judges. The sole purpose of said program shall be the improvement of the performance of individual judges and of the judiciary as a whole and, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, all information compiled by said program shall be confidential. Said court may consult with individuals and organizations and may contract for technical assistance for the purpose of said program to the extent it deems necessary.