December 26, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 15, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Dec 25: Caretaker Minister for Information Senator Nisar A. Memon has rejected the allegations of pre-poll rigging and asked the political parties to come up with suggestions to make the upcoming elections transparent.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Mr Memon said the caretaker government believed that the political parties and the contesting candidates should all work together to create a conducive atmosphere for the holding of free and fair polls.

Brushing aside the apprehensions of pre-poll rigging being expressed by some political leaders, the senator regretted that the unfortunate culture of questioning the electoral process had become a custom in the country.

He said even those political leaders, who had been in the government in the past, were questioning the fairness of the elections. “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 accusations would serve no purpose,” he added.

Mr Memon said it was imperative in the interest of the country that political leaders rose above their political interests and refrain from vitiating the congenial atmosphere, as free and fair elections on January 8 would advance the national goal of a moderate, democratic and progressive Pakistan.

He said: “Elections on January 8 are in the offing. It has generated interest in the common man to change his or her destiny. But the smear campaign against the electoral process may confuse the common man.”

“It is high time the political leaders uphold moral standards of truth and guide the electorate to enthusiastically come out and vote for their choice in the general elections,” he added.