LAHORE, July 18: Participation of political parties’ representatives in non-party local bodies polls is nothing but a mockery of the whole exercise. This was stated by Awami National Party (ANP) leader Sohail Akhtar Malik while talking to a group of reporters at a local hotel here on Monday. “Parties are interviewing candidates and issuing them tickets while the election commission is looking on as a silent spectator,” he regretted.

The commission should prove its impartiality by acting against the violators, he demanded.

Replying to a query, he said a committee, comprising leaders of house and opposition, both in the National Assembly and Senate should be formed for selecting a consensus chief election commissioner.

Answering a question, he said the ANP was against partyless polls as it promoted “clan and cash” culture in politics. The country could not yet get rid of the effects of the non-party elections held by Gen Ziaul Haq, he added.

However, the ANP would take part in the local bodies polls because it did not want to leave open the field for its opponent parties, he said.

Malik saw a big political change in the country if results of the local polls remained favourable for the ruling PML. “Schedule for general election may be announced immediately after the process.”