Foreign observers will have to follow guidelines: Pak EC

At least 2,000 foreign observers are expected to monitor the parliamentary polls, which opposition parties have alleged will be rigged to benefit the PML-Q that backs President Pervez Musharraf. The President on Tuesday rejected such allegations and asserted the elections will be 8220;absolutely fair and transparent8221;.

Another 20,000 local observers will also be deployed for the polls by civil society groups.

8220;The foreign observers will have to follow the internationally recognised code of conduct, besides the Election Commission of Pakistan has issued guidelines for them,8221; The News reported.

The guidelines, which run into 150 pages, include information about constituencies, polling stations and returning officers.

Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Dilshad said 8220;foreign observers would be restricted so that they do not face or cause any security problem8221;.

Election staff will also be authorised to stop observers from taking part in activities that may interfere with the smooth holding of the polls.

8220;As far as we, the Election Commission, are concerned there is no restriction or bar on the observers but they will have to observe certain rules and regulations,8221; Dilshad said.

8220;The foreign observers will have to follow the international code of conduct while monitoring the polls in Pakistan.8221;

Dilshad said the guidelines are meant to help th e observers learn about the location and background of the constituencies.

Election Commission officials said the observers would have to inform authorities in advance about the areas they intend to visit on the polling day.

Foreign observers will not be allowed to conduct surprise visits of polling stations as 8220;they will have to get permission from the respective returning officers8221;, the officials said.