SWABI, Jan 2: Sirajul Haq, provincial chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, appealed to all political parties and groups to create unity in their ranks and initiate a joint struggle to end dictatorship from the country.

He was addressing a workers’ convention at Kernel Sher Kili on Wednesday to mobilise them to boycott the polls. The event was presided over by former MNA Mohammad Usman.

The former provincial minister said like the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) other parties too should boycott the election, predicting that the polling stations would be deserted on the day of elections. In the present circumstances the APDM decision to boycott the elections is based on reality and those parties who participate in voting will see what kind of post-election scenario unfolds.

He questioned how an undemocratic government could ensure a fair democratic process and free elections.

He said the JI had been running the boycott campaign across the country while the other APDM parties were also contacting the masses to educate them.

He said the government

is unconstitutional and it violated all norms of democratic rules.

Mr Haq said: “The best option for political parties is to shun their differences and join hands for the restoration of genuine democracy in the country. Under the present regime free and fair elections could not be ensured. So instead of going for fraud elections the political parties should boycott it.”

He demanded an independent Election Commission under which free elections could be held according to the demand and requirement of the nation.

He said that no one was secure due to the wrong policies of the present regime and even a leader like Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated on Dec 27.

He said that the security umbrella provided to Benazir Bhutto was insufficient and it led to her brutal killing.

Mr Haq said that if the government had provided complete security to Ms Bhutto the incident would not have occurred.