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Thursday, May 09, 2013
Diplomats vow full support for free, fair pollsISLAMABAD: The diplomatic community has expressed its full support and cooperation to the democratic process in Pakistan and extended unequivocal support for free, credible and transparent elections on May 11.
In a statement jointly issued here on Wednesday, the embassies and high commissions of Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, the United States of America, as well as the European Union delegation recognised the commitment to democracy of the over 4,600 candidates standing for office federally, 11,000 contesting at provincial levels and 86 million Pakistani citizens registered to vote and expressed their unequivocal support for free, credible and transparent elections in Pakistan.
The diplomats said in the statement, “We express our sympathy for the victims of recent violence and their families and welcome the efforts of Pakistan’s authorities to provide security for the elections.” The deliberate targeting of candidates and supporters by terrorist groups in Pakistan is an attack on the democratic rights of all candidates, democratic institutions and governance, and the internationally recognised right of the people to take part in the government of their country through freely chosen representatives, said the statement. The diplomats said, “We welcome the call by Pakistan’s religious leaders, supported by the major political parties, urging voters to go to the polls and exercise their right to choose their political representatives.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk