Nothing wrong in army deployment: EU observer

Says army is considered apolitical institution

ISLAMABAD: European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission head Michael Gahler in his inaugural press conference on Thursday said that running for election does not put one beyond the law.

“Being a candidate does not provide immunity to anyone from legal course,” he remarked in reply to a question about the alleged targeting of the former ruling party’s candidates by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The mission is led by Chief Observer Gahler, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Germany. The EU EOM will assess the elections according to the national law of Pakistan and the regional and international commitments it has made regarding elections. The EU deployed EOMs to Pakistan in 2002, 2008 and 2013.

Gahler said a number of recommendations given by mission as part its observations of previous polls have been incorporated in the new laws enacted by the parliament. Among the important recommendations were, giving Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) more autonomy.

The mission has also recommended more roles to the women in the election process.

In the new laws, political parties have been made bound to give at least five per cent tickets to the women. The law also entails that if women votes will be less than 10 per cent of the total votes polled, election results of that constituency will be cancelled.

Other recommendations incorporated were related to electoral rolls, delimitations and other such procedural matters.

The mission head believes that law and order in Pakistan has significantly improved compared to last general elections. He also believes that deployment of army at the polling stations would not have any negative impact on the fairness of elections. He said Pakistan army is considered apolitical institution.

A core team of 10 election experts of EU EOM arrived in Islamabad on 24 June.

In early July, 60 long-term observers (LTOs) are due to be deployed across the country.

Nearer elections day LTOs will also be joined by diplomats from EU member states resident in Pakistan, as well as a delegation of seven Members of the European Parliament. At full strength, the mission should comprise up to 100 observers.

According to Gahler, the EU EOM’s assessment of the electoral process is independent of any EU institution and member states.  EU observers adhere to a Code of Conduct that obliges them to maintain strict impartiality and neutrality, he added

A preliminary statement would be issued shortly after elections day. This statement, presented by the Chief Observer at a press conference in Islamabad, will outline the EU EOM’s initial assessment prior to the completion of the electoral process.

A comprehensive final report, with recommendations for improving future elections, would be published at least two months later.