By SPA
Islamabad : The European Union (EU) has welcomed the commitment made by President Pervez Musharraf that Feb 18 parliamentary elections will be held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
An EU statement released in Islamabad noted that the technical preparations for the polls was on schedule.
The EU has already deployed an election observation mission to Pakistan that will offer an independent assessment of the conduct of the elections in accordance with international standards for democratic elections.
The EU also appreciated the assurances given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the counting and tabulation processes were fully open to scrutiny by candidates, their agents and observers.
The EU, however, urged that to ensure transparency of the results process, it was vital that the authorities issue and enforce instructions to display detailed results in polling stations, immediately after counting is complete, and to publicly display a detailed breakdown of polling station results at the constituency level as soon as the tabulation process is complete.
It suggested that as a further measure the detailed polling station results be posted on the Internet swiftly.
The EU stressed that the complaints and appeals be dealt with in a timely, effective and transparent manner.
There should be access to an independent means of redress, it added.
The EU urged the authorities to take all possible steps to improve the conditions in which the elections were being held and said that the local government officials must be prevented from any misuse of state assets.
The transparency of the electoral process will be essential to restoring public confidence and ultimate progress towards national reconciliation, the statement said.
This can be promoted through an open and consultative election administration, the strict neutrality of caretaker governments at national and provincial levels, and freedom for the media to cover all aspects of the election process.
The EU renewed its call for immediate release of political detainees including judges and lawyers as an essential step in restoring confidence in the independence of the judiciary, rule of law and democratic process.
This would represent an important step in creating a free and open pre-electoral environment, the statement added.