LAHORE: Major national and regional political parties on Thursday called on the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure free, fair, and credible polls for national and provincial assemblies.

The demand was made at a `National Convention on Women`s Effective Political Participation for Democratic Governance`.

Shabnam Rasheed from SAP Pakistan read out the charter of demand to representatives of political parties and participants including women delegations from all across Pakistan. The participants endorsed the charter.

Mohinder Pal Singh of the PTI said his party supports all demands, including free and fair elections and greater representation of women in assemblies through the democratic process.

Chaudhry Manzoor of PPP endorsed the 13-point charter of demand, highlighting the role of political parties in undertaking this crucial task.

Naeema Kishwar of the JUI-F said her party was committed to democratic struggle and theincreased political participation of women in politics. She urged political party leadership to field women candidates in constituencies considered strongholds, rather than treating them as mere formality to meet election rules.

National Party leader Yasmin Lehri said the respect of the women doesn`t lie in keeping them behind the four walls of the house but in providing them environment that helps them to identify and explore their talent. She said only those societies prospered and become enlightened that provided their women equal and befitting opportunities.

She lauded the SAP-Pakistan for helping women from remote areas of the country including Balochistan in mainstream politics.

Shahida Waheed of the Awami National Party said her party played an important role in the passage of the 18th Amendment that led to play important role in enhancing participation of women in politics and also in different other spheres of the society. She said her party would continue to strive for enhanced educational facilities as it did from 2008-2013 when it formed government in coalition with PPP.

Tariq Ahmed of the QaumiWatan Party said he considered the 13-point charter of demand an important and it will be presented in the executive committee meeting for consideration.

Rubina Ahmed of the Jammat-iIslami also endorsed the charter of demand, saying her party is the only democratic party in the country that elects it emirs from district level to the national level.

Haqoog-i-Khalg party leader Dr Aaliya said her party is the greatest champion of the rights of women, students, peasant and labourers.

Adeeba Akram of Mazdoor Kissan Party also endorsed the charter of demands by SAP-Pakistan.

Newly formed National Democratic Movement leader Bushra Gohar said the charter is realistic and if acted upon can lead the country towards greater political stability.

The convention also marked 35 years of SAP-Pakistan struggle for empowerment of marginalised, democracy and rule of law.

Only the PML-N was absent from the convention despite invitation and confirmation for participation by its spokesperson, Azma Bukhari.