Karachi, Nov 27: Former Prime Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said that her party will sweep the January 8 general elections given that the polls are held in a free and fair atmosphere.

After filing her nomination papers for NA-204 (Larkana-I) and NA-207 (Larkana-IV) constituencies, she said the PPP would emerge victorious if the emergency is lifted before polls, illegal transfers and postings are cancelled, and irregularities in setting up poling stations are reversed.

“We need peace, not bullets, and sanctity of the ballot and the means to proceed to democracy,” Benazir told reporters, adding that democracy could save Pakistan from disintegration.

The two-time premier said that she held talks with President Pervez Musharraf in order to ensure that he would hold free and fair elections, provide a level-playing field for all political parties and quit his army post. Benazir added that her party would continue consultations with other political parties to work out a common agenda

“We need an independent election commission, sanctity of the ballot and no violation of rules,” the Dawn quoted her, as saying, adding that the PPP had written to the Election Commission about the irregularities like transfer of judges, ‘non-visible’ polling stations and bogus voters.

Reacting to the reports that deposed judges had been asked to vacate their official residences, Benazir said that they deserved to be treated with respect and they should be freed.
 
She went on to say that the PPP believed in the independence of judiciary, but added that the question of reinstatement of the deposed judges should be left to the Parliament. (ANI)