PESHAWAR, Aug 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said that the government spokesman’s impression, given to the European Union election observer mission that there were certain reservations about the scope of election monitoring, have raised doubts about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming general elections in the country.

In a statement issued here on Monday the commission’s governing body said that the international and domestic monitors had observed general elections in the past and enjoyed all facilities. But any deviation from this practice would undermine the fairness of the forthcoming polls.

The statement said that the Election Commission would fulfil its responsibilities and extend all necessary facilities to the monitors. It also reminded that the EC had already committed to permitting unhindered observation of the polls by all groups of monitors.

The statement said that the HRCP had received reports, suggesting that observers only from United States were to be granted full logistical support.

But, sidelining other countries would not serve the interests of neither the US nor that of Pakistan, particularly at a time when there were grave misgivings in the country about the US role in the region.

The HRCP has suggested that in order to remove all doubts full opportunity be provided to groups interested in monitoring elections.