By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf Thursday, while assuring free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections on time, warned against pre-judging the election results, raising undue hopes and resorting to violence during or after the polls.
Speaking here at a seminar arranged by the Information Ministry to create awareness among the people about the election, the President said the February 18 election was vitally important for Pakistan as its future depended on it.
He said it was critical that the media, political parties, their workers and the foreign organizations understand their responsibility and play their due role.
“Do not incite trouble in Pakistan, by pre-judging election results, by creating hopes and expectations, that may be unrealistic … Let [the] results speak for themselves.”
President Musharraf said Pakistan was not only critical for the region, but also for the world.
“I would like to say it to all these foreign organisations; specially those conducting surveys; don’t disturb the peace of this country, don’t disturb the peace of this region. You are playing with the peace of the world.”
He said it was vital to understand that this region was critical for the world. “Those, who do not understand, will eventually realise it,” he added.
The President said the election will be on time. “This is my pledge to the nation,” he said and added “I assure you elections will be fair, free and transparent.
“The world is watching us; our national prestige is at stake; peace and harmony is at stake; our future is at stake,” President Musharraf said.
He, however pointed that “it was equally important that the elections are also seen to be fair, free and transparent, and peaceful”. “The entire world is watching us,” he said.
“In this situation of extremism and terrorism, no agitation, anarchy or chaos can be acceptable.”
He said to ensure the peaceful conduct of elections, the government and the Election Commission will use civil armed forces, with the backup from the armed forces.
President Musharraf said the role of media and international organizations was vital, wherein they must not create an environment where an aspersion is cast that the February 18 elections are rigged or the elections are a fraud.
He said some talk-shows were raising hopes for some candidates for the forthcoming polls.
“There should be no exaggerated expectations”, he said and pointed to the claims being made by party representatives of obtaining 80 per cent seats.
He said certain parties were working on dual channels of going on with the election campaign, while others are preparing dossiers that if they lose, they will come up with allegations of rigging.
However, the President warned that “let there be no doubt that anyone will resort to lawlessness in the garb of allegations about rigging in the elections.
“Let this serve as a warning to all those who think they can disturb the peace of the country. They will not be allowed. Do not test the resolve of the government,” President Musharraf warned.
The President said he was a firm believer in democracy and the fact that no State could function without it.
However he stressed the need for having a “functional democracy” that helps the government move forward, strengthen economy and ensure good governance.
“Democracy is the right way forward,” he said and pointed that the derailed process was now back on rails.
He said it was also important to have a system of checks and balances in place that are tailored according to the needs of a country.
He said he never had to use the 58-2(b), though the option was always available to him. However the same was used when democratic governments were in power in the past and it did stop the loot and plunder.
The President said now the National Security Council will be in place to maintain the necessary checks and balances.
In the post-election phase the President asked the political parties to show grace if they loose and not arrogance if they win.
“Those who win should form the government and if they desire they can form a coalition,” he added.
Addressing the media, he urged there should be balanced reporting and projection on all channels.
“There should neither be a tilt in favour of some party or leader, nor a hype should be created that one particular party or leader will win.
“There should be no favourites, as by pre-judging you will create expectations and higher the expectations, the higher the fall.”
Otherwise he said it would be harmful for the nation.
He said if those who think they will get 80 per cent seats and end up with only 30 or 40, than they will blame it on a rigged election, which is not true.
The President urged the nation to enthusiastically participate in the polls. “You should cast your vote, turn out should be good, come and vote. And for right person and for right party, whom you think have worked for Pakistan and contributed to its development, vote for them.”
“They should not be under any illusion that they will bring people to the streets after the election. “Nothing of that sort will be allowed,” Musharraf said.
He said the people of Pakistan should also not get misled and understand who is deceiving them and taking them for a ride. “Understand the truth” the President said and pointed to the several development projects whose ground breaking was performed by him and were inaugurated by him, but were being projected as if someone else was their architect.
He said it was in the past eight years that Subakzai and Mirani dams were built while the upraising of Mangla dam was in progress, several new motorways were completed besides other mega projects.
The President said the Election Commission was a sovereign body and has tried to address all problems with sincerity.
He mentioned the several steps taken to ensure transparency in the election and said all polling stations were now notified, there was no gerrymandering, voting lists were posted on internet and the Returning Officers will announce the results.
He said proper screens were now put in place to ensure privacy, transparent ballot boxes with tamper proof seals.