ISLAMABAD, March 11: Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan has said international observers will be welcomed to observe the forthcoming general election.

Talking to a four-member British delegation, led by the British High Commissioner, the CEC said the Election Commission of Pakistan would act with complete neutrality, objectivity, independence and impartiality at every stage of the electoral process.

He remarked that the EC was a totally independent constitutional body and the question of any intervention from any circle was completely out of question.

Mr Khan said efforts were under way for preparing foolproof electoral rolls, which was the most fundamental document in the electoral process and was closely linked to the issue of restoration of democracy and holding fair and free elections.

The draft delimitation of constituencies, he added, would be prepared by observing the principles laid down for delimitation under section 9 of the Delimitation of Constituencies Act, 1974.

The CEC said the provisions would be strictly followed in letter and spirit. After the publication of the draft delimitation proposals, every voter would be allowed to make representations within 15 days of its publication, which would be disposed of by the election commission.

According to an EC handout, the British delegation expressed its satisfaction over the steps taken by the commission, and assured it of help and assistance in holding the general election in a fair and transparent manner.

The British government, through the Department for International Development (DFID), is providing technical assistance to the EC in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.