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E.U. warns against flawed polls in Pakistan

LONDON: The leader of the European Union Election Observation Mission for Pakistan has warned that there would be “implications” for the Pervez Musharraf regime if the forthcoming national elections are found to be seriously flawed.

Speaking to reporters here ahead of the mission’s visit to Pakistan, Robert Evans acknowledged that the situation in Pakistan was “not ideal” to hold elections and identified several areas of “concerns”.

These included “disproportionate” media coverage of the ruling party and its allies, and “fewer” political rallies because of the security situation. The mission’s own movements would be severely restricted due to security.

Mr Evans, who is a Labour Member of European Parliament, said that he met President Pervez Musharraf in Brussels recently and discussed with him the issues surrounding the elections, scheduled for February 18.

“Even though he appeared supremely confident, he is apprehensive,” he said suggesting that Gen. (Rtd.) Musharraf himself was not sure how things would turn out on the polling day despite his government’s confident claims that the elections would be free and fair.

Asked what action could the mission recommend if the elections were flawed, Mr Evans said: “If we express serious reservations there would be implications for President Musharraf.” The mission, comprising seven MEPs, would arrive in Islamabad on February 15 to conduct a “comprehensive assessment” of the electoral process in accordance with international norms for genuine democratic elections.

It would analyse the political situation after meeting representatives of various political parties, including their candidates, officials of the Central Electoral Commission and rights groups. It would also get feedback from the E.U.’s election assessment team which is already in Pakistan.

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