KARACHI, Oct 12: Chief of the Muttahida majlis-i-Amal, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, has said that the MMA would ensure constitutional independence of federal and provincial assemblies.

Talking to newsmen, he said that the world was surprised at the success of religious parties in the general election, but for the party the result was below expectations.

He added that the MMA respected the mandate of the people. He said that despite provocations from the activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the polling day, the MMA had remained calm.

Maulana Noorani alleged that on the polling day the MQM activists had used undemocratic means and stuffed the ballots to get their candidates elected through strong-arm tactics.

He regretted that though these incidents were immediately reported by MMA workers to the Election Commission, so far nothing had been done.

He said the staff on the polling day were so terrorised that they could not take any remedial measures.

He further said that information was received from various polling stations that the polling agents were refused certificates of the votes polled.

Maulana Noorani complained that the Election Commission had so far not taken notice of complaints in the central, eastern and southern districts where reportedly the polling continued many hours after the closing time.

He alleged that concerned administrative and security officials were conspicuously miss-ing from such polling station and, taking advantage of such a situation, MQM activists not only took over some polling booths, but also manhandled those polling agents who protested.

He said that the MMA would not allow such elements to trample democratic norms.

He also demanded of the provincial EC to explain why polling in many polling stations continued several hours after the specified time.

Meanwhile, Haji Moham-mad Yunus, director Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, has also complained of irregularities in Yunusabad and Shamspeer, and demanded re-polling.