The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday said that it will be sending out invitations to national and international observers once the date for the next general elections is announced.
In a statement issued on Thursday in response to some media reports, ECP's Spokesperson Qurat-ul-Ain Fatima said that the commission, as per tradition and mandate, welcomes both national and international observers to observe the process of elections and to ensure electoral transparency.
"The organisation has worked dedicatedly on framing a comprehensive code of conduct for international observers this year and will be looking forward to all observation missions for upcoming General Elections."
The commission further said that per established standard operating procedures, invitations for international observers would be "commenced by mid of August 2023".
This would mean that observers will be invited after the August 13, 2023, date when the assemblies complete their constitutional term and a caretaker setup takes over the government.
"ECP shall float international invites through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) (u/s 238 of the Elections Act 2017); once the date of the General Elections is announced," Fatima added.
She said that all reports of international observers being disallowed were based on hearsay.
The assemblies are due to complete their term on August 13. Meanwhile, the government and its allies are contemplating a move whereby it could dissolve the assemblies before the constitutional term expires.
READ MORE: National Assembly Will Be Dissolved On August 10
By doing so, political parties can avail up to an additional 30 days for campaigning and elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday in response to some media reports, ECP's Spokesperson Qurat-ul-Ain Fatima said that the commission, as per tradition and mandate, welcomes both national and international observers to observe the process of elections and to ensure electoral transparency.
"The organisation has worked dedicatedly on framing a comprehensive code of conduct for international observers this year and will be looking forward to all observation missions for upcoming General Elections."
The commission further said that per established standard operating procedures, invitations for international observers would be "commenced by mid of August 2023".
This would mean that observers will be invited after the August 13, 2023, date when the assemblies complete their constitutional term and a caretaker setup takes over the government.
"ECP shall float international invites through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) (u/s 238 of the Elections Act 2017); once the date of the General Elections is announced," Fatima added.
She said that all reports of international observers being disallowed were based on hearsay.
The assemblies are due to complete their term on August 13. Meanwhile, the government and its allies are contemplating a move whereby it could dissolve the assemblies before the constitutional term expires.
READ MORE: National Assembly Will Be Dissolved On August 10
By doing so, political parties can avail up to an additional 30 days for campaigning and elections.