LAHORE, Oct 7: PML president Shujaat Husain said on Friday the success of ruling party candidates in the third phase of the local elections reflected people’s confidence in the vision of President Musharraf and the government policies.

Congratulating the new nazims and councillors, he urged them to use all their energies to serve the masses.

Shujaat said the winners should be large-hearted and losers accept their defeat in a decent way. He asked the opposition that instead of levelling rigging allegations, they should play their role in the national uplift.

Punjab PML secretary-general Chaudhry Zaheeruddin said in a separate statement that the ruling party’s responsibilities had multiplied after such an overwhelming victory in the local polls.

He said since the election commission had received no complaints, the elections were free, fair and transparent.

He directed all elected representatives and the party office-bearers to set eyes on the 2007 general elections and ensure that the party won a two-thirds majority.