July 24, 2006	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 27, 1427

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LAHORE, July 23: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin stood re-elected, without contest, president and secretary-general of the Punjab PML on Sunday as no other candidate filed nomination papers against the two till the time set for the purpose.

The candidates were required to submit their nomination papers with the provincial election authority by 2pm. Before the deadline, the election authority chief announced many a time if anybody else wanted to file his papers for any office but no one turned up.

In the nomination papers, the chief minister’s name was proposed for the office of the president by Mian Abdus Sattar and seconded by Sheikh Idrees. The CM deposited Rs2,000 as fee.

Chaudhry Zaheeruddin’s name was proposed by Ramzan Bhatty and seconded by Khwaja Imran.

Despite a heavy rain, a number of PML leaders and workers were present at the Muslim League House when the two submitted their papers.

The election authority comprised Mian Zaman Qureshi, Qudsia Lodhi, Advocate Alamgir and Sabir Sarraf and Muhammad Azam Khan.

Their papers were found in order and in the absence of any rival, the two stood elected.

The provincial general council will repose its confidence in the two leaders at a meeting on Monday (today). The meeting will be held at the Alhamra Art Centre.

Lahore PML President Mian Munir had brought sweets to celebrate the event. However, the chief minister said celebrations should be held after the provincial council meeting.

Later, the chief minister said the PML was working for democracy and strengthening of political institutions.

Speaking to reporters after submitting forms for the provincial president slot, he reiterated that the party had always supported democratic process within its ranks.

“The elections are a testimony that the PML believes in complete democracy. They will not only strengthen the party but also help the democratic culture flourish in the country.”

Pervaiz Elahi said the party’s popularity and its fast stretching network was a clear signal that it was the only party capable of facing all the challenges.

The chief minister said promotion of national solidarity and completion of public welfare programmes was atop the PML policies. He said that due to democratic attitude of PML, office-bearers and workers of other parties were gathering under the flag of PML.