Washington: The State Department spokesperson said she was unaware if the country would send any observers to Pakistan for the upcoming election. The country polls its next government into power on July 25.
International analysts visited the country to observe the last general election that happened in 2013.
“I’m not aware if we would send any observers on the ground,” said Heather Nauert, the acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. “We tend to support international organizations that do participate as observers.”
“The United States supports free, fair, and transparent, accountable elections in Pakistan as we do in other countries around the world,” she said.
She said the US and its international partners support Pakistan’s implementation of its 2017 electoral reforms law. “My understanding is that this is the first time that that law will actually be put into effect for these elections,” she said. “We hope that the new comprehensive and transparent legal framework facilitates the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government.”
Cold shoulder
On May 16, the Election Commission said it would not invite any international observers in the upcoming election. Whoever wants to come to observe the election from outside of Pakistan is responsible for getting their security clearance, said the commission.
The commission’s code of conduct says that international observers will have to apply for Pakistani visa at least two months ahead of their planned visit. The interior ministry will get four weeks for security clearance, after which the observers will be allowed to stay in Pakistan for four to six weeks. The code says that the observers will stay away from media during the election process. They will not be allowed to give media statements either.
According to the ECP, the interior ministry will issue a security advisory for international observers. Special passes will be issued to them and they will not be allowed to meet any candidates or political leaders.
The current government dissolves May 31. On May 28, Pakistan appointed former chief justice Nasirul Mulk as caretaker PM until a general election on July 25. AFP