ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The parliamentary board of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), which is still undecided whether to take part in the January 8 elections or boycott them, met here on Tuesday and finalised the party’s candidates to be fielded in three provinces in case the party decides to contest the polls.

The meeting of the parliamentary board was presided over by PML(N) president Shahbaz Sharif and attended by chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Raja Zafar said the board had almost finalised the candidates from Sindh, the NWFP and Balochistan while those from Punjab and Islamabad would be cleared in a couple of days.

He said the party had nominated former MNA Pervez Malik as a cover candidate for Nawaz Sharif in NA-120, Lahore, after rejection of nomination papers of the former prime minister.

He said the party had not taken any decision yet on the issue of seat adjustment with other parties.

The PML(N) leader said that unlike the 2002 election, the party had more than sufficient number of candidates for the Jan 8 elections.In fact, he said, for one provincial assembly constituency of Lahore, there were 18 candidates who had submitted applications for the PML(N) ticket.

Meanwhile, PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharif dispelled the impression that rejection of his nomination papers would demoralise him, adds PPI.

In an interview with a TV channel, he said that rejection of the papers had not caused any loss to him. “Rather, it has unveiled ill-intentions of rulers.”

He said that people would not accept even positive steps taken by President Musharraf unless judiciary was restored to its pre-November 3 position.

He alleged that President Musharraf had dismissed judges as he was aware that the verdict in case of his re-election was going to be decreed against him.

“It is our responsibility to guide the nation in right direction. The PML(N) will introduce true democracy in the country,” he said.