ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: The EU Election Observation Mission to Pakistan, in response to a report from Lahore (published on Jan 9) denied that EU chief observer Michael Gahler had received evidence of alleged rigging from political parties.

In a statement, it said: “Michael Gahler met Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Jan 8. During the meeting, Mr Sharif made a number of verbal allegations of rigging but did not provide any evidence or proof.

“As the chief observer stated during the press conference in Lahore, the EU election Observation Mission has received numerous allegations of rigging from various political parities. In all such cases the mission urges those who have complaints to submit them to the competent authorities. The mission will then monitor to see if these complaints are being dealt with in a timely, effective and transparent manner.”