ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: President Gen Pervez Musharraf assured the nation on Wednesday to hold fair, free and transparent elections and appealed to the people to elect honest and capable candidates to usher in an era of national reconciliation.

“The government cannot bring the change and people will have to bring this change by electing their true representatives tomorrow,” he further stated.

Addressing the nation on radio and television, the president stressed the need for burying the politics of hatred and acrimony with a view to establish true and sustained democracy in the country.

He said he would strive hard to create harmony and national reconciliation among the political parties after elections.

“I also want to assure you that I would hand over all the government powers to the new prime minister by relinquishing the post of chief executive,” he added.

In his 30-minute speech, recalled his efforts and claimed that his government had done a lot to remove corruption and rebuild institutions which had been misgoverned by two political parties during the last 11 years.

He said he had fulfilled his another promise to hold elections and said that political restructuring and the process of reforms were undertaken by his government under the guidelines given by the Supreme Court.

The government, he claimed, did not change the basic structure of the Constitution and whatever limited amendments were made aimed at establishing real democracy and introducing checks and balances.

The president dispelled the impression that politicians were not given enough time to express their point of view for electioneering. “They have been given a lot of time and this is something unprecedented that this time radio, television and the print media offered them so much time.”

The president said that over 300 international observers were currently in Pakistan to monitor the elections who will be provided special security by the army. “They can go to any city or the polling station and we will ensure their safety and security,” he assured.

Without naming Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, the president said why people considered that only two individuals to be their leaders. “Now you have an opportunity to bring new people and create new leadership who should serve your interests.”

The president claimed that due to the condition of graduation, 41 per cent old people have been disqualified to take part in the elections.

He said that 90 per cent people who were contesting elections were new entrants and would certainly bring change if elected.

“Now this is your responsibility to send only right people in the assemblies,” he urged.