Around 100 observers to monitor upcoming general election: EU

ISLAMABAD: Chief Observer and German-origin Member of European Parliament Michael Gahler Thursday said a mission comprising around 100 observers would arrive Pakistan to monitor the upcoming general election scheduled to be held on July 25.

Addressing a news conference here, he said “It is a great privilege to have been given the opportunity to lead once again the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Pakistan for the upcoming election.”

He said “The election on 25th of July marks an important stage in Pakistan’s democratic development and I am very much hopeful that our presence will contribute to a transparent electoral process.” Gahler explained that the mandate of the EU EOM is to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections are in compliance with the laws of Pakistan, as well as with international and regional commitments for democratic elections to which Pakistan is a signatory.

He said the mission is currently made up of a core team of 10 election analysts based in Islamabad while sixty Long-Term Observers (LTOs), reaching here in next few days for deployment across the country in early July. “Following the arrival of long-term observers in their areas of observation, they will start meeting with election officials, candidates and representatives of civil society.

They will report their observations back to the core team in Islamabad and these will contribute to the mission’s informed and impartial assessment of the electoral process,” Gahler explained.

He said the EU EOM will also be joined by a delegation of seven Members of the European Parliament as well as diplomats from European embassies residing in Pakistan.

Soon after the Election Day, he said, the mission will issue a preliminary statement. The mission will stay in Pakistan until September to compile a comprehensive final report including recommendations for future electoral processes will be published approximately two months later, he added.

He said main objectives of EU Election Observation are to support the democratic process in partner countries, enhance public confidence in the electoral process, strengthen respect for human rights and rule of law. Responding to a question, he expressed the hope that new election laws passed by the parliament would strengthen the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Responding to another question he said law and order in Pakistan is much better as compared to the election 2013. He said code of conduct issued by the ECP for foreign mission will not create any hurdles in the working of EU mission.