ECP invites EU observers to monitor next elections

Acting CEC also asks them to observe Multan by-polls today.

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission has made an offer to the European Union (EU) to send its observers to monitor the next general elections for an international oversight into the country’s electoral process.

The acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Mian Shakirullah Jan told an eight-member visiting European Union Parliament Mission delegation that preparation of the computerised electoral rolls is nearing completion and in all 84.3 million eligible voters have been registered so far. Of these 1.58 million are new registrants who have obtained their computerised national identity cards during the past year after attaining the age of 18.

Justice Shakirullah Jan informed the delegation that he has been in close coordination with National Database Registration Authroity (NADRA), visiting and observing the entire process of finalisation of the electoral rolls.

The acting CEC observed that it is the constitutional obligation of the Election Commissioner Pakistan (ECP) to conduct transparent, just and fair elections. However, providing and maintaining law and order is the sole responsibility of the executive and local administration.

He said that the ECP attaches high priority to having friendly relations with the international community and he welcomes election observers to monitor the forthcoming by-elections in NA-151 Multan-IV, scheduled to be held on July 19.

He said that the ECP always welcomes the positive criticism of observers and their suggestions are given importance as it assists us in making future plans and any pointed out discrepancy is never left unaddressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2012.