By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan has set stringent guidelines for more than 1,000 observers and foreign journalists expected to visit the country for the Feb 18 elections, with the move viewed as an attempt to restrict the visitors’ movement.
“The observers can visit constituencies, two each on the election day, after making arrangements with relevant departments to address security concerns, while journalists can visit Islamabad and four provincial capitals from where arrangements could be made for them to travel to other towns,” Dawn Thursday quoted foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq as saying.
“The number of observers from abroad and foreign missions whose requests have been processed now totals 500. A corresponding number of foreign journalists are also coming to cover the elections, which takes the total to about 1,000 for now,” Sadiq added.
Despite repeated assurances to the international community that it would allow unrestricted monitoring of the general election, the government had earlier said that the observers would not be allowed to conduct exit polls.
Most of the international observers are likely to be from the European Union, which already has a sizeable contingent on the ground. A small team is expected from the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). A few foreign politicians and small teams pulled together from embassies here are also expected to tour the country.
Pakistan has decided to keep out observers from the Commonwealth, which suspended its membership in the wake of the emergency declared in November. The government appeared to be disinclined to review this.
“You would recall that the Commonwealth suspended Pakistan’s membership in haste,” Sadiq said when questioned on this issue.
The US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), which was expected to field a large number of observers, has withdrawn, citing security concerns.
“We have learnt that IRI would not send observers because of security concerns. However, the Democracy International Inc is sending 35 observers,” Sadiq said.