ISLAMABAD, July 18: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf noted on Wednesday that independent observers belonging to the Free and Fair Election Network had not been issued accreditation cards by the Election Commission to observe the by-election in Multan for the National Assembly seat vacated after the disqualification of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf strongly feels that this act of the EC will sow the seeds of mistrust in Election Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections” a statement issued here by the PTI media office said.

The party demanded that Fafen’s observers should be issued accreditation cards for the election to be held on Thursday.

“A component of conducting free and fair elections is to allow observers to monitor them and there should be no element of prejudice while choosing the observers. Fafen has been actively promoting free and fair elections in Pakistan and its struggle is appreciated by all those who believe in true democracy.”

The organisation had issued a report on Monday saying that 11 million voters could not be verified in their areas of residence, while 20.4 million people above the age of 18 were not registered on the electoral rolls being finalised by the EC for the coming general elections.

“The PTI seconds the recommendation of Fafen that the EC should conduct a door-to-door verification of voters so that fair elections can be facilitated.

The election should have been conducted only after the report is investigated and outcome brought to the public.”