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ISLAMABAD: Three candidates are finally in the run for election to office of the President as two candidates withdrew their nomination papers Saturday.

Faryal Talpur of PPP and Roedad Kahn of PML-N withdrew their nomination papers at the Election Commission of Pakistan as August 30 was the date to withdraw the candidature. Faryal Talpur and Roedad Khan were the covering candidates for Asif Ali Zardari and Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui respectively.

According to the final list issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Secretary General PML(Q) Mushahid Hussain Sayed and renowned judge and PML-N candidate, Justice ® Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddqui are in the run to contest the election for president.

Though the final list has been issued still there is provision for the candidates to retire under sub-rule (3) of rule (6) of the Presidential Election Rules 1988.

This rule provides that a candidate may retire from contesting election by a notice in writing signed by him and delivered to the Returning Officer (Chief Election Commissioner) on any day not later than three days before the polling day either by himself in person or by an authorized agent appointed by the candidate in writing in his behalf.

The candidates who withdrew Saturday hoped, the process would complete smoothly and be another step towards strengthening democracy.

While the PPP leaders were hopeful for their victory, the PML-N candidate hoped the new President would possess all qualities required to become the President.

“We are hopeful to win. We have comfortable number to win the presidential election,” Faryal Talpur said while talking to APP.

“I have withdrawn my nomination papers. It is our party’s decision and now Asif Zardari is PPP’s candidate for the office of the President,” she said.

Another withdrawing candidate, Roedad khan said, future President of Pakistan should be a man of character and described Justice ® Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui as the most suitable candidate for the office of the President.

“Siddiqui possess all qualities to become next President. He has transparent character, integrity, credibility and is incorruptible,” Roedad told mediapersons at Election Commission.

Siddiqui’s offered sacrifices for dignity of judiciary and refused to take oath under PCO nine years ago, he said.

“He would be helpful in reinstatement of the deposed judges besides ensuring independence of judiciary,” Roedad said applauding the efforts of PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for independence of judiciary.

“I am his foot soldier and would continue supporting him in this noble cause,” he said.

Senator Dr Babar Awan not only rejected the propaganda campaign against Asif Zardari but also defined him as “a man of global vision and capable of foreseeing the issues and addressing them in a dignified manner.”

“Zardari is an accepted face for Presidency. He has not been nominated by PPP alone but by coalition parties as well, with consensus as he represents the federation and enjoys support across the four provinces,” Babar Awan said during interaction with media.

He said propaganda about Asif Ali Zardari’s withdrawal from the Presidential elections proved to be false as he was one among the three final contestants.

He said Pakistan needs a President who should have the capability of not only deeply observing the geo-political situation but also to address it and “Zardari has all these qualities.”

Zardari’s most significant achievement is formation of national government, Awan said. “He also promoted national reconciliation.”

Babar Awan said, his party was contesting the election with traditional spirit despite overwhelming false propaganda and media trial.

He urged the participants of presidential election to maintain parliamentary conventions, Constitutional obligations, rules and regulation during the process and described the election as another milestone towards real democracy.

“As no one had come for rescue of Pervez Musharraf, no one would dare to block the way of this democratic process,” he said.

The democratic transition, for which Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life, would culminate with the election of a democratic President, he said.

To a question, Babar Awan termed the demand by some circles for resignation of PPP ministers from Punjab Cabinet as illogical.

“We are not members of the Cabinet out of sheer charity but our party has won around 125 seats in provincial assembly,” he said.

To support his argument, Babar Awan said, PPP believes in inclusive politics. “It is representative of federation, so the question to resign does not arise.”

As the stage is set for Presidential election, all political parties are diligently wooing the voters to win maximum support for their candidate. All eyes are focussed to September 06 when one of the three contestants would ascend the throne.