KARACHI, Feb 14: Leader of European Union election observers Michael Gahler said on Thursday that the mission had decided not to visit about a dozen constituencies in Waziristan and the NWFP because of security reasons.

He said there was no restriction by the government on the observers’ movement and the decision had been taken by the mission.

He said it was the political will of the European Union to see Pakistan back on the democratic path, of which elections were one part and indication of addressing issues. He made it clear that the mission was not here to set a political agenda.

The mission reached its full strength of 112 by deploying 31 short-term observers on Thursday.

“This helps us to ensure more consistent election observation,” Mr Gahler said. He said the observers would stay in the field beyond the election day to observe consolidation of results.

The short-term observers are from 20 European Union countries as well as Norway and Canada. They will be deployed for eight days in the four provinces and the capital. EU observers have been in Pakistan since Dec 8, 2007.

Mr Gahler also referred to his meetings with Muttahida Qaumi Movement deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar, leader of the opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani and presidential candidate Justice Wajihuddin Ahmad.