ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP): The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Pakistan and a delegation of the members of the European Parliament will observe the polling process in all the provinces and the federal capital on February 18 (tomorrow). According to a press release a total of 131 European Union observers will be deployed on election day.
Chief Observer Michael Gahler expressed the hope that the elections will take place peacefully. “I hope that the elections will be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and transparent manner,” said Gahler on the eve of the elections.
The Chief Observer added that the EU EOM will make public its preliminary assessment on Wednesday (Feb 20). “We will reveal our initial findings in the mission’s preliminary statement and not earlier,” Gahler said.
The 119 member EU EOM comprises observers from 23 European Union countries as well as Norway and Canada, while the European Parliament delegation has 12 members.
An EU election mission has been in Pakistan since December 8, 2007. EU observers have been deployed around the country since January 10, and will stay in the field beyond election day to observe the post election period, including the consolidation of results.