ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: A group of eminent personalities, including former judges of superior courts and retired generals, have called for an independent inquiry into incidents of poll rigging.

At a meeting held with the former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, in the chair, the Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) said the polling process on election day was generally free and fair, but serious complaints from a number of constituencies needed to be addressed through an independent judicial process. The results may have been more reflective of the will of the people but for serious flaws both before and during the polls. There appears to have been a clear intent and plan by the government to support its favourite parties by direct and indirect means. Fortunately, this plan was thwarted by the vigilance and dedication of the civil society and media.

The CGEP, which was helped by the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), said it was a welcome development that the results of the election had been accepted by all major political parties.

It said that it was now incumbent on all concerned, including the leaders of political parties, to ensure that the mandate given by the people to the new National and provincial assemblies was respected both in letter and spirit. The majority of parties in each assembly should exercise their right to form a government without any pressure or interference from the Presidency, caretaker government, agencies and foreign governments.

The CGEP said obligation of successful political parties to form coalition or consensus governments should not subvert the basic mandate given to them by the people of Pakistan. The success of the post-election process as a matter of highest priority requires corrective measures with respect to the restoration of pre-November 3, 2007 judges to ensure a free and independent judiciary that commands universal respect and acceptability. As a first step judges and lawyers under detention should be freed and all restraints on their movement removed.

It called for non-interference in the process of formation of government by the presidency and foreign elements. The group said Pervez Musharraf should consider ceasing to hold office of the president at this time as it would greatly facilitate the commencement of a new genuinely civil, political and constitutional era.

The CGEP saluted the people of Pakistan for reaffirming their unequivocal commitment to democracy and constitutionalism. They have defeated all conspiracies conducted in the pre-poll phase, seeking to distort the popular will.

CGEP members present at the meeting included Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani, former DG ISI/MI; Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, chairman, Gallup Pakistan Ltd.; Javed Jabbar, former senator and minister; Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman, former judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan; Lt Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider; former governor of Sindh; Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal, former judge of the Lahore High Court; Omar Khan Afridi, former chief secretary of the NWFP; Dr Parvez Hassan, lawyer; Qazi Mohammad Jamil, former president of the SCBA; Shahid Hamid, former governor of Punjab; Shamshad Ahmad, former Foreign Secretary; Tasneem Noorani, former federal secretary; Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, executive director, PILDAT, Ms Aasiya Riaz, joint director, PILDAT; and Ghazi Salahuddin, journalist.