September 15, 2008	Monday	Ramazan 14, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: The Center for Media and Democracy Pakistan (CMD) has demanded Chief Election Commissioner Justice Qazi Muhammad Farooq (retired) to take a legal action against the legislators of NWFP assembly who had violated the secrecy of ballot during the presidential election.

“The Election Commission (EC) should take notice of this violation and we are sure that this will strengthen the state institutions and ensure the supremacy of the rule of law in the country,” said the CMD spokesperson in a statement issued here on Sunday.

She said that the nation had achieved a democratic government after a decade-long struggle against a dictator and asked the elected representatives to refrain from those actions that could derail the democratic process.

“We should not let the autocratic forces laugh at the democrats and the elected representatives of the masses. The legislators should act in accordance with law proving themselves a role model for others so as the people could follow them,” she added.

The spokesperson said the election commission had conducted a free, fair and transparent election in the country and that credit should be given to the chief election commissioner and his team.

“All those legislators who have made the sanctity of ballot a laughing stock during the presidential poll should be dealt with according to law. This act was not only a breach of the sanctity of the ballot but also against the democratic norms,” she added.

The CMD also asked the politicians to show more responsibility, saying the entire nation was seeking towards them for a leadership role.