The EU may choose not to send election observers to Pakistan this year “because we are unsure about the general elections in Pakistan in 2023,” according to Michael Gahler, head of the Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the EU Parliament.
In the EU Parliament, he was speaking to a group of Pakistani journalists who were in attendance since the European External Action Service had invited them to Belgium.
Gahler, a member of the European Union’s Parliament since 1999, served as Pakistan’s EOM’s director in 2008, 2013 and 2018.
He stated that the EOM required an invitation from the Pakistani government at least three months prior to the election date in order to send their observation team for the purpose of monitoring the election.
“But we have not received any invitation from Pakistan yet,” he added.
EU Is Unsure on Conduct of General Elections 2023 of Pakistan
According to what he understood, elections in Pakistan should take place in October of this year.
“But there are no indications of the election that’s why it will not be possible to send an observation mission but if the election will be held next year then we can hope to send an expert mission,” the EU lawmaker said.
He added that this year they could only send a small expert mission and that even for that trip they needed an invitation from Pakistan.
In response to a query, he stated that the government and electoral commission always invited his observation expedition to Pakistan.
In order to make plans, he stated that visiting Pakistan requires an invitation. He also stated that the 2013 general elections were “much better” than the 2008 and 2018 elections.
Gahler claimed that a number of issues plagued EU observers during the 2018 elections, including the extremely late issuance of their visas and the denial of their teams’ access to voting places.
The media was more free to express itself in 2008 and 2013, but needs on the media in 2018 made it evident that the establishment was openly supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in his bid to become prime minister, the EU parliamentarian continued.
Gahler claimed Khan was dismissed by a no-confidence resolution in parliament, and that motion was valid, without elaborating on the causes of the divisions between the PTI leader and the establishment.
He also argued that the PTI should be given full access to the electoral process in the future and urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to act impartially and hold elections on schedule in accordance with the law.
To read our blog on “Elections will be held in Oct 2023, Coalition govt agrees,” click here.
