(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-17 21:28

ISLAMABAD - Caretaker Information Minister of Pakistan Nisar A Memon said on Sunday that all the arrangements were in place for the general elections due on Monday.

Election workers transport collected election materials for polling stations in their district on the back of a motorbike in Lahore February 17, 2008. [Agencies]

Speaking at a news briefing here, Memon said that the suspicion of some media about the postponement of general elections should be dismissed as the caretaker government would hold free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections on Monday.

Memon said that hundreds of thousands of security personnel including army men would be deployed on the polling day for security concerns.

He clarified that every Pakistani citizen would be entitled to cast his or her vote in the elections. However, the media should also play its role to encourage people to participate in the polling.

He added that the government expected maximum participation of people in the elections.

Memon pointed out that the media would be free to report the progressive results of the elections on Monday with the endorsement of the returning officers. He urged media to make accurate and objective description of the progressive results otherwise people would not be misled.

The elections have attracted over 800 observers and 700 foreign correspondents, who would help the Pakistani government to hold free, fair and transparent elections, Memon said.

He also mentioned that a National Human Rights Commission would be established soon.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has, for the first time in history, adopted innovative measures to make the elections transparent. The polling stations, electoral rolls and complaints have been put on the website of the ECP, Memon said.