KARACHI, Aug 4: Leaders of various opposition parties said on Thursday that the upcoming Local Government Elections 2005 would be rigged by the government in Sindh.

Speaking at a seminar on “Ensuring transparency in local bodies polls,” organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation at its Vicky Zeitlin Library in Karachi, PPP Sindh General Secretary Nafees Siddiqui said although the Election Commission announced that the polls would be held on non-party basis but the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and ministers were campaigning for ruling parties-backed candidates.

He said amendments to Sindh Local Government Commission (SLGO) in 2005 had neglected basic spirit. According to original ordinance, Local Governments were autonomous but after amendments, the local government nazims have been placed at the mercy of Chief Minister.

Nafees Siddique said government divided and delimited districts all over Sindh. Nazims were removed after announcement of polls schedule as they would influence polls. But the Chief Minister and provincial ministers were campaigning for polls in government vehicles.

Acting President PML-N Sindh Mamnoon Hussain alleged that the government had no intention to hold free and fair polls. He said the government did not appoint permanent Chief Election Commissioner, as it wanted to keep the Acting CEC under pressure to get the desired results.

Jamat-i-Islami leader Dr Merajul Huddah Siddiqui demanded that for ensuring free, fair and peaceful LG polls, the Sindh Governor, the Chief Minister, the Home Minister, the Advisor to Local Bodies be removed, and polls be held under army supervision.

Mahfooz Yar Khan, Provincial President of the PML Q Lawyers Wing , said the government was determined to hold transparent, free and fair polls in the country, including Sindh.

He proposed formation of Election Monitoring Cell, comprising journalists, political leaders to monitor the polls and strictly watching those violating the code of conduct.—PPI