KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party’s Patron-in-Chief, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has stressed the need for continuation of the democratic process without any obstacle to transfer of power through the ballot.

Addressing through video link members-elect of the national and provincial assemblies from Sindh here on Tuesday night at the Bilawal House, he called for an investigation into rigging complaints and said the elections were stolen in the constituencies from where the PPP used to return victorious.

He said despite complaints the Election Commission did not take any notice. The PPP was defeated through rigging, but the party considered the elections important for the country, he added.

Mr Bhutto recalled that despite unfavourable circumstances and conspiracies to stop his party from participating in the elections, it demonstrated patience and restraint and the people of Sindh showed their love for Benazir Bhutto.

He said the PPP had accepted the nation’s mandate for the sake of continuity of the democratic process and would play the role of opposition in the National Assembly.

“My party honours the mandate of all political parties and expects respect for its mandate.”

The PPP chief said despite having a majority in the Sindh Assembly, his party would take along its allies.

“We do not believe in politics of confrontation and will continue the political journey in a democratic manner by pursuing the policy of reconciliation,” Mr Bhutto said.

He asked the legislators-elect to serve the people with their fresh mandate.

He said that those who criticised the PPP should realise that democracy was stabilised in the country because of the sacrifice of Benazir Bhutto. The democratic government was able to complete its five-year tenure because of far-sightedness of President Asif Ali Zardari, he said.

Mr Bhutto said the PPP restored the constitution in its original shape and made amendments in it for strengthening the democratic order.

Addressing members-elect of the Sindh Assembly, he said: “Your victory is the victory of the people and the PPP. It is also a victory of Shaheed Bhutto’s philosophy.”

Talking to newsmen outside the Bilawal House, Syed Khurshid Shah, a minister in the PPP-led government, asked the Election Commission to look into complaints of 200 per cent polling at certain places.

He said the party leadership would take a decision soon about the leader of the opposition.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the party high command would decide about the leader of the house in the Sindh Assembly.

Sherjeel Memon said the people had proved that Sindh was the PPP’s fortress.