January 29, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 19, 1429

SHIKARPUR, Jan 28: A two-member delegation of the European Union election observation mission to Pakistan visited Shikarpur on Sunday.

During their short visit, Alberto Huidobro Foncills and Egle Zoleckione, the long term observers, met District Nazim Mohammad Arif Mahar, candidates, elected representatives and district officials to discuss election-related matters.

The PPP candidate for PS-12 seat, Agha Arsalan Khan, apprised the delegates about the problems of candidates. He claimed that the caretaker government was trying to rig the elections to support their favourite candidates.

The delegates refused to give their comments to journalists about the issues relating to election process.

However, the delegates said that the European Union was invited to establish the Election Observation Mission by the Pakistani authorities.

The mandate of the EU EOM was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of an electoral process in accordance with international principles of genuine democratic elections.

They said the mission was deploying 50 long term observers who would join them shortly.

They further said that EOM operates independently from the European Commission’s delegation to Pakistan and EU member states and the EU EOM would produce a preliminary statement of its finding in three days after the polling day.

Besides, a final report would be produced within two months which will include a set of detailed recommendations, the delegates added.