Benazir threatens mass movement in case of election rigging

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has warned the Musharraf regime against rigging the upcoming general elections, and said that any attempt to manipulate elections would lead to a countrywide movement by the opposition parties.

Islamabad, Dec 7 : Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has warned the Musharraf regime against rigging the upcoming general elections, and said that any attempt to manipulate elections would lead to a countrywide movement by the opposition parties.

Bhutto told reporters at Golra Sharif that her party wanted a peaceful transition to democracy through fair elections, and had decided to participate in the polls under protest to accomplish the objective.

She alleged that the government had a rigging plan in place, which had forced the opposition parties to plan a movement in case their demands for fair polls were not met.

"The regime initially wanted to run away from the elections by imposing emergency, but under great pressure it had to set a date for elections. It has, therefore, now drawn up plans to rig the polls," Bhutto claimed.

Bhutto said that the opposition parties were drawing up a charter of minimum demands for fair elections and would give the regime a date by which to implement it.

"If our demands are not met and the rigging plan is pursued, the opposition parties will launch a massive movement against it," she maintained.

Bhutto also denounced the government's move to deprive sacked judges of their right to pension.

Replying to a question, Bhutto said that the issue of sacked judges should be decided by the next Parliament.

She said that the PPP did not share the idea that the restoration of the deposed judges would solve all the problems, the Daily Times reported.

ANI