ISLAMABAD, July 31: The International Crisis Group (ICG) has urged the Pakistan government to desist from electing President Gen Pervez Musharraf for another term before elections to the new assemblies.

The advice of the think-tank in its Asia Report released simultaneously in Brussels and Islamabad on Tuesday clashes with the persistent claims by the ruling party leaders that the present assemblies would re-elect President Musharraf in uniform in their dying moments.

It also asked the government to appoint a neutral caretaker government in consultation with the main opposition parties in parliament, once the election schedule is announced in order to supervise the general elections.

“The government must ensure the independence and autonomy of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by appointing a new chief election commissioner in consultation with the parliamentary opposition parties and by empowering the ECP to enforce its code of conduct, especially provisions relating to the use of government resources for election campaigning, including the announcement and/or inauguration of public sector development schemes that might influence votes.

The Group called for suspending the current local governments once the election schedule is announced and appoint administrators to serve until the elections are held and results announced. It also wanted the government to forbid involvement of intelligence agencies at any stage of the electoral process and refrain from using the civil administration to influence the outcome.

Similarly, it said the government must provide a level playing field by releasing political prisoners, allowing the unconditional return from abroad of political leaders and repealing the bar on a prime minister serving more than two terms; and affording all political parties freedom to organise public rallies and mobilise voters and giving them equal access to the state media.

The government was also urged to share preliminary electoral rolls with all political parties and ensure that potential voters are given ample opportunity to exercise their right of franchise.

Likewise, the security of domestic and international election observers should be ensured and provide them unfettered access to the electoral process.

It also asked the political parties to pool resources to expose electoral malpractices and fraud. “Do not accept military support during the election process or in the process of government formation. Agree on and adhere to a common code of conduct for the elections”.

The Group strongly warned against imposition of emergency rule or any other measure to stifle constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms of speech, association, assembly and movement.

The ICG further asked the United States, the European Union (EU) and other members of the international community to strongly and publicly urge the military high command to accept a return to democracy, including by concurring in the following steps: return of exiled party leaders; free and fair general parliamentary elections before a new president is selected; the new assemblies acting as the presidential electoral college; and separation of the posts of the president and the army chief.