President Dr. Arif Alvi says an effective local government system ensures devolution of powers and strengthens democracy.

Addressing a National Conference on Future of Local Government in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said every political party has political spirit of contacting people and serving them.

The President said besides devolving powers at grassroots level, local government system also leads to distribution of resources, diffusion of power and authority, deconstruction of management and decentralization of administrative service.

He said under the constitution, provinces are responsible to establish an effective local government system.

Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz has reiterated government's resolve to ensure free, fair and transparent elections through use of Electronic Voting Machines.

He was addressing a National Conference on Future of Local Government in Islamabad today. He stressed that an effective and sustainable local bodies system is important to address the problems of the people at grassroots level.