EC suggests LG polls under Army supervision

Transparent LG polls out of question: Imran

Thursday August 04, 2005 (1603 PST)

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LAHORE, August 05 (Online): The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday suggested holding both phases of local bodies polls in the country under Army supervision due to intense rivalries among the political groups.

As per the report issued by the Election Commission indicated at length about the intense rivalries between the political parties in the Punjab, Sindh and NWFP, law and order situation during polls and also about the sensitive polling stations in the country.

The report said that holding polls under Army supervision would be greatly in the interest of the entire nation. The Election Commission of Pakistan hinted it to the federal government that getting Army services to maintain law and order situation and to conduct polls in peaceful manner like past.

Meanwhile, Blaming the government for not allowing free and unrestricted participation of opposition parties in democratic process of local bodies elections, Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan said, it is out of question that the forthcoming local bodies elections would be held free, fair and transparent.

Talking to newsmen after party meeting here on Thursday, he said, free and fair LG polls could not be held at any cost amid unprecedented pre-poll rigging, flagrant violations of election code of conduct and utilization of government machinery for support of candidates of government allied parties.

He was well flanked by TI Sindh President Zubair Khan.

Every body can draw the conclusion about the sincerity of government for holding transparent elections in reflection of said actions and crack down against the candidates of opposition parties, he said.

" How can one expect transparent elections after knowing that the president and Prime Minister both are partial and running the campaign of certain parties," he asked.

Imran Khan termed the appeal of President Pervez Musharraf to people for giving vote to Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam while addressing a public gathering at Swat as "shameful."

He also strongly criticized Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for announcing a package during his visit to the Hyderabad for nothing but only mustering support for MQM.

Mr Khan said the holding of free and transparent elections is impossible without constitution of autonomous Election Commission with the consultation and consensus of opposition parties.

He was of the view that the free and fair elections are not possible even if army is called in for this purpose. Commenting on the ordeal faced Fazlur-Rehman he said it was not only his disgrace but also the disgrace of country.

Imran Khan also expressed grave concern over deportation of foreign students studying in the religious seminaries.

He announced to take part in ARD All Parties Conference (APC) on August 11, 2005.

Zubair Khan speaking on the occasion informed that TI has completed seat-to-seat adjustment with like-minded and opposition parties in the city.

End.