‘General elections to further strengthen democracy’
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—The forthcoming general elections would further strengthen and promote democracy and democratic system in the country.
This was the concensus among the participants during a talk show , “News Guru” organised by CNBC-Pakistan.
The participants of the show included Maulana Samiul Haq of JUI-S, Zafarullah Khan, journalist; Director Trust Institute Wajih Khan and senior Journalist Shahid Malik, while Nadeem Malik was the Anchorperson.
Wajih Khan said that the people must get a chance to vote. They must elect their public representatives, as it would bring an elected government to power. To a question that he has shown Musharraf much popular in his survey contrary to IRI survey, Wajih Khan said he has not shown him popular, it is the respondents which have given their opinions.
He said that telephonic survey by viewers in Pakistan shows that President Musharraf is a popular leader.
Wajih Khan said it is a telephone based survey conducted in the urban areas. “We have concentrated on the educated persons and we also have balanced participation by men and women. Similarly we have ensured equal participation by all the segments of the society. We included more than 2000 households.
Shahid Malik said that the elections would provide people an oppurtunity to elect their representatives. As a result of elections, new assemblies would be formed, and elected representatives would form governments in the centre and the provinces.
To a question that what was the difference among the manifestos of PPP, PML-Q and the PML-N, Shahid Malik said Pakistan people Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q have revised the manifesto. They have added almost alike and appealing points which can be presented on suchoccasions. But the Pakistan Muslim League-N presented some points which are attractive for the general people, he added.
To a question he said that PML-N will be the real beneficiary of JI’s boycott in Punjab. Similarly in NWFP, it will get benefit of the boycott by Maulana Samiul Haq also. Shahid Malik said they will benefit out of it.
He added that hustle and bustle of the election campaign depends on the participation of certain parties. The big parties are participating in the elections, and the election process will gain momentum with every day to come, near the elections.
Maulana Sami Ul Haq, said that elections were source of continuation of democracy, and strengthening of democratic institutions. But regarding boycott of elections he said that earlier they decided to take part in the elections. They filed nomination papers, and brought their candidates.
But after analyzing the situation , he said (according to them), it seems that the elections are being held under a pre-planned design as the westernpowers for whom we are serving are not satisfied with what we have doneso far.
Zafar Ullah said, there was no culture of scientific reporting in rural areas, and no survey could be authentic without rural population which is in majority. The rural population which is the decisive factor in Pakistan is altogether neglected in these surveys.
About elections, he said “Let us see if the people get opportunity the real polls will be held on January 8”, he added.
He said that there were apprehensions in the minds of voters in a particular party, and they will conduct a pre-election survey.
He added that the elections were an oppurtunity, and political parties should avail this golden chance. The people must be given the chance to elect their representatives, and future elected government was must for establishment and continuation of democracy in the country.