EU, US, UK united in their criticism of Pakistan elections

WASHINGTON/LONDON: The US and Britain agreed to concerns expressed by the European Union on the political climate in which Pakistan’s elections were held.

Michael Gahler, chief of the EU election observer mission, told reporters in Islamabad that his 120-member team found no election rigging. But he quickly added that pressure on the media and stronger-than-usual attempt to encourage candidates to switch parties negatively influenced the vote. “We have concluded there was a lack of equality of opportunity,” he said, calling this year’s electoral process “not as good” as in 2013. While commending Pakistanis for their “courage” in coming out to vote, the US on Friday said it “concurs” with the EU observers that the polls were “overshadowed by restrictions on freedom of expression and unequal campaign opportunities”.

In a statement by state department spokesperson Heather Nauert, the US also said that though it had “deep reservations” about the participation of terrorist-affiliate individuals in the election, it “commends Pakistani voters for fully rejecting” them.

Parties linked to Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and the Sunni extremist group Ahl-e-sunnat Wal Jamaat fought in the polls but did not win a single seat.

The US also said it shared concerns of Pakistan’s own human rights commission about “flaws in the pre-voting electoral process”, which included “constraints placed on freedoms of expression and association during the campaign period that were at odds with Pakistani authorities’ stated goal of a fully fair and transparent election”.

Britain on Friday said it shared concern expressed by the international observers on reports of pressure on the media and the number of parties with links to proscribed groups who preach violence and intolerance during the polls.