ISLAMABAD - The PPP on Tuesday completely boycotted the presidential poll, alleging that the PML-N damaged the peaceful democratic process by rescheduling the election date.
PPP legislators stayed away from the electoral process both in the National Assembly and Senate, and even no one appeared in the Parliament House where voting remained underway for hours.
"Though it was very difficult decision for the PPP but the party protested against the way presidential poll was conducted," said PPP's senior legislator Saeed Ghani while talking to TheNation, outside the Parliament House.
"We have conveyed our message by observing the boycott. It was necessary, as the ruling party disturbed the peaceful process only for 20 to 25 legislators," he said arguing against the PML-N's petition stating that some parliamentarians would not be able to vote, as they would perform Umrah or 'Aitekaf'.
After the boycott, Ghani said, the quarters concerned must be realising gravity of the situation. To a question about rescheduling of presidential election, the PPP Senator said that it was not only the inability of the Election Commission of Pakistan but the Supreme Court also crossed its limits by issuing the verdict.
When contacted, PPP's central leader Shazia Marri said it was their principled stance not to participate in the presidential election, as they had no other democratic option in this regard. "Boycott was our democratic right so we did," she said adding that the ECP’s silenced attitude over the issue also made it more controversial.
It is relevant here that the PPP legislators also staged a walkout from the National Assembly session, protesting against the Supreme Court verdict in this connection. The Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Balochistan National Party-Awami and Awami Muslim League also boycotted the electoral process.