Elections fulfil Govt’s promise to ensure democracy: Memon
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Minister for Information Nisar A. Memon on Monday said the holding of election depicted the fulfillment of the government’s promise for the continuation of democracy in the country. “People are happy because of all the promises being met by the government...Assemblies completed their tenure and elections taking place,” the Minister told APP in an exclusive interview as he visited the news agency to witness arrangements for the coverage of general election.
The APP has set up an Election Coverage Cell aimed at disseminating election results to print and electronic media. The Minister said the general election proved fulfillment of the dreams of the country’s people as they would be having assemblies elected by them for another five years. He said ample security arrangements had been ensured at polling stations with deployment of army, police and mobile forces. The Minister said during his visit to polling stations in Islamabad, he observed that voters seemed satisfied as they exercised their right in a secure environment. Memon said strict measures had been taken not to allow anyone to disturb peace after announcement of results.
“These measures will continue not only today but also tomorrow and day after, so that nobody could disturb the peace of Pakistan, its economy and political system and create problems after the results are announced.” The minister said though some unpleasant incidents took place, but they did not affect the overall election process.
He said 900 observers including US senators and members of congress, representatives from the European Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference had been allowed to monitor the polls. The Minister said while 120 foreign news correspondents were already working here, 700 additional correspondents had been facilitated by the ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said visas had been given to all except the Commonwealth which he said had “made a mistake by suspending Pakistan’s membership”. When asked whether the caretaker government effectively fulfilled its responsibility in holding peaceful elections, Memon said the arrangements had been made in such way that everybody was voting and moving around.