ECP allows FAFEN to observe LG elections in Sindh and Punjab

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has
agreed to allow Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on the basis of central undertaking that it will be responsible for the conduct and security of all its observers to be deployed for observation of the Local Government elections in Punjab and Sindh.
The decision was taken in a meeting between the ECP team, comprising
Additional Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Fida Muhammad and Director General Public Relations, Iftikhar Raja and FAFEN team, including Head of Programs Muddassir Rizvi and Senior Manager Yasser Javed, said a press release issued Monday.
Both the teams exchanged their points of view on the need of security
clearance of all observers on individual basis and agreed that it was not possible in a short time.
The ECP team acknowledged the importance of observation and its
commitment to electoral transparency. It was in the interest of electoral transparency that the ECP team gave a manageable option to FAFEN that can ensure the accreditation of its observers for the upcoming Local Government elections.
“FAFEN will now provide an undertaking to the ECP taking all
responsibility for the conduct of its observers as well as their security. We will furnish it shortly,” said a FAFEN spokesperson.
FAFEN appreciated the promptness of the ECP to resolve the issue
and acknowledged its commitment to hold free, fair and transparent elections.