PESHAWAR, May 2: The NWFP Pakistan People’s Party has demanded formation of a national government and independent election commission to hold free and fair polls in the country.

Speaking at a press conference here at Peshawar Press Club, PPP’s provincial President Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti said the presidential referendum’s results had weakened the position of the commission.

He said doubtful results had crippled the credibility and impartiality of the election commission, and now  its was necessary to form an independent commission to hold fair elections.   

Mr Hoti said national, international media and other organisations had reported low turnout in the referendum, while the election commission announced that 42.8 million people cast their votes.

The referendum’s result could not satisfied the masses, he said adding that the people’s confidence could only be restored through transparent polls.

“ The presidential referendum was a test case for these parties and Gen Musharraf should accept all the realities”, he maintained.