STATEMENT BY THE ELECTION OBSERVATION TEAM TO PAKISTAN FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN
Islamabad: 11 October 2002
1. The Election Observation Team of the Government of Japan observed the election process in Pakistan from 8 to 11 October 2002. The ten member team, which consists of five officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, three officials from the Embassy in Islamabad and two officials from the Consulate General in Karachi, was split into five groups and covered Islamabad/ Rawalpindi/Taxila/Murree, Lahore, Sargodha, Peshawar/Charsadda/Mardan/Nowshera, and Karachi.
2. The election constitutes the final step on the roadmap advanced by President Pervez Musharraf toward the establishment of democratic rule. In light of the importance of this election, the Government of Japan had invited Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Justice Irshad Hasan Khan to Japan to introduce the Japanese election system to him. It has also dispatched JICA election specialists to Pakistan to provide technical assistance for election preparation and voters' education.
3. In addition, the Government of Japan, with a view to assisting the process of democratization in Pakistan, has dispatched the Election Observation Team. The Japanese team observed the election process smoothly without problems of reception in the above places and achieved its objectives.
4. On the basis of its observation at 74 polling stations covering 33 constituencies, the Japanese team has made the following assessment:
(1) Prior to the election day, there were some reported cases which could be described as "pre-poll rigging. Some of these allegations had been made by various parties in the course of past elections as well. It is hoped that, for democracy to take firm root in Pakistan, such situations will be improved.
(2) As far as the team was able to see, the polling and counting processes on the election day were observed, despite some isolated cases of irregularities, to have been conducted smoothly and transparently, enabling the voters to cast their votes in a free and fair manner.
(3) It is hoped that this election will further enhance Pakistan's progress towards democratic and civilian rule. It is also hoped that, after the election, a constructive and cooperative relationship will be forged between the President, the new Cabinet, and the new Parliament.
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