Peshawar: April 23, 2013. (PCP) “Level Playing Field” should be provided to all political parties during the election campaign and security of the candidates of all political parties should be ensured. Centre for Human Rights Education- Pakistan Speakers and Participants of CHRE’s Provincial Conference have resolved that Peaceful and Transparent Elections is the only way forward to strengthen democracy in Pakistan. However it is possible if “Level Playing Field” is provided to all political parties during the election campaign and the security of the candidates of all political parties is ensured. Provincial Conference on “Peaceful and Transparent Elections: Challenges and Solutions” was held on April 23, 2013 at Peshawar Press Club under the auspices of Centre for Human Rights Education’s (CHRE) in collaboration with Bridge Organization-Peshawar. Provincial Conference was addressed Mr. Samson Salamat, Director-Centre for Human Rights Education, Qazi Saifullah Khan (Central Senior Vice President of Pakistan Rahay Haq and Candidate for NA-2), Mulana Jamiyat Ulma Islam(Jamaiyat Ulma Islam-F) , Mr. Amir Shahzad (Pakistan Mustibil Party Candidate for NA-1), Mr. Khalid Ayub (Chairman-Karwan Party), Mr. Atiq-ur-Rehman (Candidate for NA-2), Mr. Mufti Khalid Mehmood(Chairperson Peshawar Association of DEF), Mr. Monyian ul-Din Mehmood (General Secretary- Jamayiat Ulma Islam Nazarati) and Mr. Shahaib Khattak (Provincial President of KPK of Awami Workers Party). Mr. Samson Salamat in his inaugural speech expressed concerns on the violence against the political workers especially in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa during their election campaign and termed it against democracy and democratic norms and principles. Mr. Samson Salamat said that “Undemocratic forces are once again conspiring against democracy and creating anarchy by attacking political parties to sabotage the electoral process. We strongly condemn all types of violence and demand that the caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan should ensure level playing field for all the political parties without any discrimination. Candidates, workers and voters belonging to Awami National Party and other political parties being threatened due to their progressive philosophy and standpoint against religious extremism should be protected by the state institutions responsible to maintain law and order”. Mr. Samson Salamat appealed to the people of Pakistan women, youth religious minorities and other marginalized communities to fully participate in the electoral process and support to those democratic forces, which has the ability to deal with dismal law and order situation, economic downfall, social inequality, energy crisis which has paralyzed the lives and business activities, and weed out religious extremism and fundamentalism, the root cause for the bloodshed in the name of religion, and sect in the country. The other speakers said that the upcoming General Election are a milestone in the history of Pakistan and is a way forward for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity, therefore the voters should fully participate in the elections and should vote on merit on political grounds rather than voting on the basis of religion, sect, cast or any other grounds. Moreover people should forever show a “No Compromise” sign to undemocratic forces which have plunged the county into darkness” and support genuine democratic forces. The speakers emphasized that the Federal and Provincial Caretaker Governments, and all state institutions should maintain their impartial position by all means during the electoral process. The Election Commission should strongly monitor that the state apparatus remains impartial and action should be taken if violations are found.