Memon assures full support to EU observers during polls

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A Memon has said that the government would fully facilitate the European Union mission to monitor the upcoming general elections and Pakistan remains committed to democracy.

The mission, headed by Jan De Kok, ambassador head of delegation of EU Commission, met the minister here on Friday. The team included Chief Observer Michael Gahler, a German Member of the European Parliament and Hanna Roberts, election analyst.

Welcoming the EU observers, Memon said that the government would fully support them in conducting elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Expressing firm resolve of the government to hold free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections, the Minister said that the government, media and the people of Pakistan would fully assist the international monitors.

The delegation expressed confidence in the caretaker government for conducting elections in a transparent manner.

Jan De Kok said that the EU clearly recognised the improvements in the electoral procedures by the Pakistani authorities to make the polls more credible.

“Pakistan is a strategic partner with the international community and a more stable and strong Pakistan is in the interest of both the people of Pakistan as well as the world community,” he said.

Memon said that the media was an effective medium to reach out to the masses and form public opinion. “The national media carries a tremendous responsibility of helping the government in conducting transparent polls by carrying out balanced reports and coverage,” he added.

He said that the media was free and the government would support self-regulation to comply with the laws of land.

He brushed aside the impression that the government had imposed restrictions on the live coverage of the polls, saying that the mechanism with 15-30 seconds delay would be administered by channels themselves.

Memon said that the Pemra was acting only as a guide and it would not censor or monitor the coverage.

The delegation informed the Minister that the core team of the EU comprises 11 election experts based in Islamabad. A total of 48 long term observers would be deployed across the country.