ARD to observe Oct 12 as Black Day
By Zulfiqar Ahmad

ISLAMABAD—Asserting record rigging allegations by the ruling coalition during the third phase of local bodies elections, the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) announced to observe October 12 as black day to protest against government excesses.
“We scorn this nasty game when historic rigging has been carried out under the government patronage and all borders of morality have been crossed by trampling elections code of conduct,” these views were expressed in the ARD meeting presided over by its chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim held at PML-N central secretariat on Friday.
Flanked by Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq of PML-N, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Sahibzada Fazal Karim of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Fahim alleged that all these elections riggings were carried out following directives by President General Pervez Musharraf and the President should tender resignation and apologize to the nation.
“The ARD has reached consensus and we will talk MMA to take the religious alliance into confidence to observe October 12 Black Day with might,” he informed.
Like the first and second phases of local bodies elections, the Chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan played a shameful roles by interfering in the third and final phase of local bodies polls, he added.
He alleged that police force throughout the country was made a kidnapping force and the national independent press and international observer had also acknowledged the opposition point of view regarding rigging in elections.
“The holding of free and fair elections under President Musharraf rule is impossible and the ARD is of the view that Musharraf is solely responsible for all this nasty game and he (Musharraf) should forthwith step down,” he remarked.
He condemned recent surge in petroleum products saying that poverty stricken masses of the country were deprived of their rights to live with dignity and honour.
He paid rich tributes to PML-N detained leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi by completing two long years in captivity. “The ARD meeting called for to withdraw all baseless cases against PPPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz and PML-N President Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif,” he underscored.
Online adds: Opposition and treasury strongly protested against rigging, nepotism and mercilessly use of money in third phase of local bodies elections by the government during Friday’s session of National Assembly.
Speaking on the adjournment motion, MMA MNA Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said that record rigging was observed in third round of local government elections.
Government created worst example of horse-trading, as Election Commission remained failed to play its role, he added.
Hafiz Hussain government pressurized opposition and MNAs were trapped to change their loyalty.
He said that Muslim Leaguers also protested against the steps taken by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
Government is trying to introduce local government system as alternative of Parliamentary system, MMA legislator said.
He said Parliamentary system must be retained and Independent Election Commission should be established.
Shir Akbar Khan of ruling PML said that votes were bought in his constituency and councilors were also arrested.
He said that President General Pervez Musharraf should cancel the elections of those areas where rigging was observed.
MMA MNA Liaquat Baloch said that state machinery was used for rigging in local government elections.
He said President Pervez Musharraf wanted to introduce presidential system in the country by abolishing Parliamentary system.
Baloch urged all political parties to unite against the move for bringing presidential system in the country and declared current local council elections null and void.
Treasury legislator Noor-e-Jehan Panezai said that rigging was also observed in Balochistan and NWFP, as opposition should notice this.
Head of People’s Party Parliamentarian Mukhdoom Amin Fahim said that though local government elections were held on non-party bases but government nominated its candidates.
No transparent and fair local bodies polls were held but clear-cut rigging was observed everywhere, he added.
Councilors and nazims were threatened of dire consequences if they did not cast vote in the favor government-backed candidates, he said.
He said there was great need of overhauling in Election Commission.
PML lawmaker Haji Khuda Bakhish Nizamani said that local government elections were held in transparent manner.
Opposition MNA Memona Hashmi said that masses were not permitted to elect the representatives of their own will.
Government-backed candidates kidnapped councilors in Multan, she said.
Minister for Environment Maj (Retd) Tahir Iqbal said Lt Gen (Retd) Majid Malik’s Certificate was challenged but Supreme Court gave historic verdict in this regard.
We could not win seat for Nazim slot due to delay in the decision regarding Majid Malik’s Matric certificate but we accept defeat, he added.
He said opposition should not make certificate matter as an issue because there was no rigging in local government elections.
Treasury MP Farooq Amjad Amir said both government and opposition candidates bought vote that caused harm to political system.
Those who bought votes must be held accountable, he added.
Opposition MNA Shir M Baloch said today councilors are being given value, as MNAs have no worth.