"This is blatant proof of pre-poll rigging and this also tells us that the government is heading for a massive rigging of the elections," Sharif, chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N, told reporters while referring to the rejection of nomination papers filed by him and his brother Shahbaz Sharif.
He alleged that President Pervez Musharraf will indulge in massive rigging to ensure the victory of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q in the January 8 general election.
Sharif, who was talking to reporters after meeting diplomats from 14 Arab countries, said he and his brother would not appeal against the rejection of their nominations as this would be tantamount to recognising the judiciary that has endorsed the emergency imposed by Musharraf.
He pointed out that poll authorities had accepted the nominations filed by him and his brother for parliamentary polls in 2002, when both of them were living in exile in Saudi Arabia. Sharif and his brother returned from exile last month.
"So I think this is a very clear indication that the elections are going to be rigged for the king's party, in favour of the king's party. There is no level playing field but let me tell you, this doesn't deter me from fighting these elections," Sharif said.
"If the All Parties Democratic Movement decides to fight the elections, we will fight them out with greater determination and vigour," he said.
The APDM, which includes the PML-N, and Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party, has threatened to boycott the polls if Musharraf does not accept conditions set by them to ensure free and fair polls. Leaders of the opposition parties are currently finalising conditions to be given to the government.
Sharif said he would not appeal against the rejection of his nominations in the high court or the Supreme Court. "We think very strongly that these judges, who are sitting in the courts, owe their allegiance to Musharraf and not to the state," he said.
"They have taken oath under the PCO and not under the constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, we have no faith in these judges because our stand gets negated if we go to these judges for any relief," he added.
"They might be willing to give us relief and they want us to file an appeal in the court (but) that will be tantamount to providing recognition to these judges. Once they give us relief, they will be able to say, 'Look, this judiciary is independent.'"
Sharif's nomination papers were rejected by poll officials in Lahore because of his conviction on charges of hijacking and terrorism in 2000. Shahbaz's nominations were rejected because he has been accused of ordering the extra-judicial killing of five people in 1998.
