Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to welcome you all to this press conference on occasion of the launching of the EU Election Observation mission to Pakistan.
After the tragic events of 27 December, the subsequent unrest and the rescheduling of the elections to 18 February, I am happy now to officially present to you the EU Election observation mission.
This mission follows, as you may be aware, a set methodology that we apply in our work in all countries in which we observe elections. So it is nothing tailor made for Pakistan. Our methodology is in full accordance with “the Declaration of principles for International Election Observation” and its accompanying Code of Conduct. This document, commemorated at the United Nations in New York in October 2005, is the foundation of credible international election observation.
Our experience as EU in election observation goes far beyond this period; it is actually a decade long practice that over the years has become more and more refined and sophisticated. One further prominent feature of our type of observation is, that it is an Independent |Election Observation mission, both with regard to the composition of its core team and long term observers and with regard to the possibility of anyone to interfere into our findings and assessment.
That means that we do not comment on the election outcome, we focus on the process. We have no party political allegiances or preferences, we address all relevant issues with regard to the entire election process, including the campaign, performance of the election administration, performance of the judiciary and general environment in which the elections take place.
We will analyse the election environment both at a central level and on the ground in all four provinces through our long term observers. In this respect we welcome contact from all stakeholders. Our assessment is based on international standards for elections. In addition, we will refer to best practice for democratic elections.
“We welcome the recent statements by the President, caretaker government, Election Commission and political parties that the elections should be free, fair and transparent.”
In this context, I would like to underline that steps could still be taken in a number of areas by the state and electoral authorities to improve conditions for the elections in line with international standards. These include:
- ensure that the election administration operates in a transparent and consultative manner to promote confidence among election stakeholders;
- issue and enforce instructions to ensure that detailed polling station results are immediately publicly displayed at polling stations and all levels of result consolidation, as well as on the internet, to enable an independent audit to be conducted;
- issue and enforce instructions to ensure that all counting and tabulation processes are fully open to scrutiny by candidates/agents and observers;
- issue and enforce instructions to ensure that state and local officials do not use state assets to influence the electoral process;
- ensure all media outlets are free to cover all aspects of the election process so that voters can make an informed choice; and
- ensure an independent framework for redress, and that complaints and appeals are dealt with in a timely, effective and transparent manner.
In line with standard EU EOM practice, the mission will issue a Preliminary Statement within 72 hours of election day. This will provide our assessment of the electoral process up until that stage – hence its preliminary nature. Clearly, important elements of the process take place after this time, for example, finalization of results, and complaints and appeals. Thus, a final report will be issued about 2 months later. This will provide a comprehensive assessment of the entire electoral process and will include a thorough set of recommendations.
Ladies and gentlemen, it remains only for me to say that it has given us great pleasure to be so warmly welcomed and we look forward to making a positive contribution to this and future electoral processes in Pakistan.
