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Commonwealth doubts fairness of Pakistan polls

The Commonwealth Observer Group has slammed the Pakistani junta after witnessing the recently concluded elections.

"We have observed an incomplete democratic process. We look forward to the complete restoration of democracy in Pakistan," the group, headed by Tan Sri Dato Musa bin Hitam, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, said in its final report to Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon.

The said Pervez Musharraf's retention of the presidency was not in the "roadmap" he set out for the restoration of democracy, and amendment of the constitution to allocate powers to un-elected and thus unrepresentative bodies was of "dubious constitutionality".

It said the secretary-general should remain engaged in monitoring the development of democratic processes and institutions in Pakistan and the remaining phases of the transition to full democracy.

The secretary-general should also offer and make available to the appropriate authorities such technical assistance as might be requested for this purpose, it said.

The group said, "It is significant that Pakistan's political parties have chosen to fully participate in the elections despite allegations of pre-poll rigging and the fact that major political leaders have been excluded.

"Of particular concern have been allegations of the widespread use of government influence and resources to favour certain parties and candidates, and conversely to disadvantage others. This has raised doubts as to whether it can be said that the playing field was truly level."

It, however, concluded that the elections constituted a welcome step in that they introduce elected national and provincial assemblies where there was previously only a military regime, which seized power through a coup.

The group also welcomed changes that Musharraf has brought about in the democratic polity through reforms like increasing the number of seats reserved for women and minorities in the assemblies, as well as the measures introduced to fight corruption.

"We also agreed that some measures introduced through the Political Parties Order, 2002, should positively improve the institutional structure of the political parties."

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