ISLAMABAD, May 1: The pro-Musharraf political parties had a major role in making the Tuesday’s referendum a ‘success’ as they not only provided vital manpower to keep the otherwise dull polling stations warm and alive but also helped people poll maximum number of votes.

Most interesting aspect of the referendum proceedings was that the army personnel at least in uniform were not deployed any where and police were mainly manning the polling stations.

There was no ‘free’ transport in sight which is hallmark of elections as polling stations were established at smaller distances.

Tahirul Qadri, chief of Pakistan Awami Party, Mohammad Ali Durrani, secretary-general Millat Party, and Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, went to various polling stations in processions to poll their votes in the twin cities.

No senior leader of PML(QA) however turned up to poll his vote although its workers showed their presence at various polling stations.

PAT chief Tahirul Qadri while talking to newsmen at a polling station claimed that the referendum was highly successful as far as the turn out of voters was concerned.

He said “I have reports from across the country and I am satisfied with the result of the referendum”.

He refused to admit that the people in general had boycotted the referendum on call of opposition parties as in his opinion leaders of both main parties had fled the country to avoid accountability he asserted.

Mohammad Ali Durrani told Dawn that he was hopeful that a new era of fair politics will emerge from the success of President Musharraf in today’s referendum.

Imran Khan said, “our support to Gen. Musharraf was subject to the permanent ouster of two most corrupt politicians out of country.

He said there was no alternative but to back Gen. Musharraf in his agenda as country’s courts had not been able to punish the two leaders who opted to leave the country.