ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz’s candidate for the presidential election, Mamnoon Hussain, has said the Pakistan Peoples Party was boycotting the July 30 poll for fear of losing.

In a conversation with DawnNews, Hussain said the PPP had put forward Senator Raza Rabbani, who was going to be the party’s presidential candidate, and Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan for fear of defeat, adding that those who call themselves the flag bearers of democracy in Pakistan were now damaging the democratic process.

PPP, the main opposition party in the National Assembly, had on Friday announced that it was boycotting the election in protest against the advancing of polling date from Aug 6 to July 30. The PML-N criticised the PPP’s decision and termed it against the spirit of democracy.

Speaking to DawnNews, Hussain said although following the passage of the 18th Amendment, the president had nominal powers, if and once elected to the post, he would dispense his duties in an impartial manner and would keep everyone on board.

Hussain said he had no plans of approaching the Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) for votes, adding that he, however, would be meeting with Qaumi Watan Party’s Aftab Sherpao on Sunday.

He further said he would perform his constitutional role and would work his best towards measures to counter terrorism and for the cessation of US drone attacks inside Pakistani territory.