BRUSSELS, May 2: The European Union on Thursday made no official comment on President Pervez Musharraf’s April 30 referendum but diplomats said governments in the 15 nation bloc were more determined than ever to ensure that free and fair parliamentary elections were held as planned in October.

“Parliamentary elections will be the key test in assessing President Musharraf’s commitment to democracy,” an EU diplomat told Dawn.

The message is expected to be delivered to Pakistani officials at the highest level by EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten when he visits Islamabad around May 21.

EU governments are clearly torn between their unease over the legality of the referendum and their appreciation of a Pakistani leader willing to take up the fight against the Taliban and also clamp down on local religious extremists.

The concern in Brussels and other EU capitals, however, is that the controversial referendum may have dented the President’s credibility, both at home and abroad.

With all eyes on the October polls, the EU is currently looking at suggestions that it should send election observers to monitor the elections. A formal decision has yet to be taken, however.

Outlining EU “standards” for monitoring foreign polls, an EU diplomat said observers looked at key factors such as the freedom of candidates to take part in elections, freedom of assembly, the right of all voters to cast their ballot without intimidation and the media’s unhindered ability to cover the voting.