US to sponsor observation prog for Pak polls

Islamabad, Oct 12: The United States Government will sponsor observation program for Pakistan"s general elections, U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson has announced.

IRI will deploy 12 long-term and 40 short-term international observers in Pakistan's four provinces to conduct a pre-election assessment followed by election-day observation.

The United States Government has signed agreements with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and The Asia Foundation to conduct activities before, during, and after the election.

“The assistance from the United States is part of the international community"s desire to assist Pakistan in holding free, fair and transparent elections in the country," Ambassador Patterson said.

The US is also contributing to The Asia Foundation"s multi-donor efforts to place independent domestic observers at polling places nationwide, the Dawn reported.

A coalition of 30 Pakistani civil society organizations will conduct nationwide monitoring of the pre-election environment, Election Day procedures, and post-election announcement of results and resolution of election disputes.

The US Government's election support also includes training of political party officials, voter education, training of polling staff, and the purchase of transparent ballot boxes.

Former US Senate majority leader Tom Daschle will lead a pre-election assessment mission in Pakistan on behalf of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) from October 17 to 21 to observe conditions ahead of parliamentary elections.

ANI>