Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Affairs Committee Senator & Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Central Media Committee Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed has made it clear that the PMLN would resist any attempt at rigging or interference, intimidation or manipulation of the elections scheduled to be held on July 25.

He made these remarks during his meetings with the European Union Election Observer Chief Michael Gahler and National Democratic Institute (NDI) President Kenneth Wollack.

Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the PMLN warmly welcomes the election observers both from Pakistan as well as the international observers since this has been the past practice of elections in Pakistan.

He said that as the largest and most popular political party of Pakistan, the PMLN is very keen that the elections be free, fair and transparent since any attempt to influence the elections’ outcome or manipulate the electoral process or intimidate the candidates or the voters would undermine the credibility of the elections.

In this regard, he said that the PMLN was closely coordinating with various Pakistani civil society organisations like the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development & Transparency and the Free & Fair Election Network as well as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and all the candidates are being given instructions on how to put counter rigging measures in place.

He said that the PMLN would extend full cooperation to the election observers of both Pakistani and internationally and would ensure that the Code of Conduct formulated by the Election Commission of Pakistan is followed in letter and spirit.

Mushahid Hussain told the visiting delegation from the EU as well as the NDI that the PMLN is committed to promoting, protecting and preserving the freedom of speech and he also briefed them on actions taken recently that are one-sided, targeting the PMLN candidates and election campaign.

He also brought on record the fact that all public opinion surveys that have been published in the national and international press clearly indicate that the PMLN is ahead of the competition by far, 14 points nationally and 20 points ahead in the Punjab.

Hussain also invited the observers to visit the PMLN headquarters in Lahore saying that the PMLN would be conducting a clean, issue-based campaign and is confident of victory on July 25 given the performance and track-record of the party both nationally and in Punjab.

He referred to the fact that PMLN candidates are contesting on seats from all the four provinces as well as the federal capital of Pakistan.

Published in Daily Times, June 29^th 2018.