ISLAMABAD: Ahmadis have decided to `dissociate` themselves from the coming elections in protest against the exclusion of their names from the joint voters` list, according to a statement issued by the community`s media office on Thursday.

The statement said that elections were being conducted on the basis of a joint electorate, but a separate list was prepared exclusively for Ahmadis bythe Election Commission.

The voters` list prepared by the Election Commission includes all religious groups Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Zoroastarians and Sikhs.

But, they claimed, the names of Ahmadis appear on a separate list under the heading, `Qadiani Men/Women`.

Community spokesperson Amir Mahmood said that in view of the `prevailing circumstances, it is not possible for Ahmadis to participate in the general election`. Therefore,the community has decided to dissociate itself from the Feb 8 elections, he added.

`The community disowns anyone claiming to represent it in the elections. The discriminatory treatment on the basis of religion is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise Ahmadi citizens.

`Such prejudicial behaviour goes against the vision of the Father of the Nation and contravenes both the Constitution and the joint electorate system, the spokesperson said.