August 12, 2002	Monday	Jamadi-us-Saani 2, 1423

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LONDON, Aug 11: Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has never questioned the fairness of the forthcoming elections in Pakistan, said spokesman of the Commonwealth secretariat here on Saturday.

“The secretary-general did not suggest that the upcoming elections would not be free and fair,” Commonwealth spokesman told APP when approached for his comments about the national elections scheduled on Oct 12 .

President Pervez Musharraf has categorically stated many a times that the elections will be free and fair and that power would be transferred to elected representatives of the people.

Responding to another question, the spokesman quoted the Commonwealth secretary-general as saying that “we do want to see good elections, an election that is fair and truly reflects the wishes of the people. We do want to see political parties having a role and that was raised with” the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Justice (retd) Irshad Hassan Khan.

“What he wants to see is that an assembly is put in place that does have a degree of authority,” said the spokesman.

The spokesman said a delegation of Commonwealth observers has just returned from Pakistan and its visit was part of its preparations to send its observers at the time of polls.

To a question whether Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth would be withdrawn after the elections, the spokesman said, “That is an issue for the heads of government to decide”.—APP