Observers find fault with Pakistan poll

Date: 17/10/02

SERIOUS flaws in the conduct of Pakistan's 10 October general election have been pinpointed by an 88-strong EU observer mission.

The Union's team has berated ruler Pervez Musharraf over the bans on contesting the election slapped on two former premiers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

In a report, due to be submitted to External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, the team also attacks the requirement that all candidates must have a university degree - this effectively barred 96 of the country's people from running for office.

Chief observer John Cushnahan - an MEP with Irish opposition party Fine Gael - said he had a frank exchange of views with Musharraf during his stay and responded to his claims that the Union should respect the differences between Asia and Europe.

'I pointed out that democracy is a universal concept and that the European Union is consistent in its approach to it, not least in its negotiations with the applicant states,' added Cushnahan.

A party loyal to Musharraf, the Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam, fared best in the poll yet failed to secure an overall majority in the 272-member national assembly.

This has prompted speculation it may form a coalition government with the hardline Mutahidda-e-Amal grouping, which wants to impose Islamic law and make US troops leave the country.

The election was designed to return Pakistan to civilian rule for the first time since the 1999 coup.

Although the EU mission did not come under any direct threat, its members had to operate in a tense environment without any protection for the first six weeks of their stay. In mid-September, though, they were provided with security by provincial authorities.

Serious flaws in the conduct of Pakistan's general election on 10 October 2002 have been pinpointed by EU observers.