EU Election Observation Mission arrives in Pakistan for July elections

ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, Chief Observer Michael Gahler, a member of the European Parliament from Germany, launched the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for Pakistan’s National and Provincial Assemblies’ elections scheduled for July 25.
“The elections mark an important stage in Pakistan’s democratic development, and I very much hope that our presence will contribute to a transparent electoral process,” Gahler said at a press conference in Islamabad.
The mandate of the EU EOM is to observe all aspects of the electoral process and to assess the extent to which the elections comply with the laws of Pakistan, as well as with international and regional commitments to democratic elections of which Pakistan is a signatory, Gahler explained.
“The mission is currently made up of a core team of 10 election analysts based in Islamabad. Sixty long-term observers (LTOs) arrive over the next few days and will be deployed across the country in early July,” the EU EOM said in a statement.
The EU EOM will also be joined by a delegation of seven members of the European Parliament, as well as diplomats from European embassies in Pakistan.
“At full strength, the mission will comprise up to 100 observers,” the statement added. “EU observers adhere to a strict code of conduct for international election observation that requires they maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work and do not interfere in the electoral process.”
The mission will issue a preliminary statement as soon as possible after the elections and will remain in Pakistan until September.
“The EU deployed election observation missions to Pakistan in 2002, 2008 and 2013, with the last two being led by Gahler,” the statement said.
On Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a 16-point code of conduct for foreign observers coming to Pakistan to monitor the elections, which included the directive that “International observers shall comply with adviseries that may be issued by the government or security agencies to ensure their safety during their stay in Pakistan.”
The ECP added: “In case of violation of the code, the Election Commission reserves the right to withdraw accreditation of an individual or an observer mission. The authority to determine the violation also rests with the Election Commission.”