EU observers conclude Pakistan elections not fully 'free and fair'

The general elections in Pakistan were not free and fair, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Pakistan has claimed.

EU EOM expressing dissatisfaction over the 2013 elections, the mission said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not fulfill its responsibilities with honesty during the general elections 2013.

According to the Daily Times, while addressing a press conference, EU Election Observation Mission chief Michael Gahler said the EU mission remained in Pakistan from March 3 to June 4 to monitor the elections.

Gahler also claimed that the returning officers changed the polling staff in some constituencies before voting.

He added that fundamental problems remain with the legal framework and the implementation of certain provisions, leaving future processes vulnerable to malpractice.

Gahler said that all contesting candidates were not given equal right to contest the elections, adding that there were complaints that the names of women voters were omitted from voters' lists, the report added.