By NNN-PTI/APP
Islamabad : Pakistan’s caretaker government Tuesday dismissed allegations by opposition leaders about the rigging of the Jan 8 general election, saying they should provide evidence to back up their claims.
Information Minister Nisar Memon said the interim government believes that the political parties and candidates should work together to create an atmosphere conducive to the holding of free, fair and transparent polls.
Dismissing apprehensions of “pre-poll rigging” expressed by some political leaders, Memon said in a statement that the “unfortunate culture of questioning the electoral process has become a custom in our country”.
Former Premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have alleged that the government would indulge in “massive rigging” to benefit the PML-Q party which backs President Pervez Musharraf.
Bhutto has also demanded the suspension of local governments and mayors and the reconstitution of the Election Commission and the caretaker government.
But Memon said: “It will be appreciated if evidence is provided to the government about the authority or the officials allegedly involved in subverting the caretaker government’s commitment to hold free, fair and transparent elections. Mere levelling of accusations would serve no purpose.”
The government, he said, would welcome suggestions from political parties and proof of “anything that is contrary to the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission”.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has made arrangements to hold elections in a free, fair and transparent manner on Jan 8, said Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad.
He said that 2,252 candidates are contesting elections for 272 national assembly seats while 5,083 candidates are contesting for 577 provincial assemblies’ seats.
He said printing of ballot papers would be completed till Jan 5, 2008.There is no chance of making of fake ballot papers because these are printed on special paper.
He noted that the Election Commission received 698 complaints of violation of code of conduct and after verification most were found baseless.
He said that Chief Election Commissioner ® Qazi Muhammad Farooq is very experienced and has served as senior judge, assistant returning officer, district returning officer, provincial election commissioner and head of appellant tribunal in previous elections.
Kanwar Dilshad said that transparent ballot boxes would be provided at all polling stations. More than 81 million registered voters will be eligible to cast their votes.
Replying to a question, he said that 98 percent of polling stations would be set up at official buildings and in case of non availability of official buildings, polling stations would be set up at other places.
He further said that federal and provincial authorities have been told about sensitive polling stations and they will make arrangements to maintain law and order.