US hails Pakistan poll as important step towards civilian democracy

WASHINGTON—The United States Monday hailed the conduct of parliamentary election in Pakistan, describing it an important step on the pathway towards civilian democracy. “We are pleased that elections have been conducted in Pakistan. It is an important step in the path towards an elected civilian democracy that reflects the choices of the Pakistani people,” Nicole Thompson, a spokesperson at the State Department told APP in initial comments.
Pakistan began vote counting after millions of people across the country cast their ballot to elect members for the national and provincial assemblies. She said, the United States and others in the international community “have stressed the importance of having a free, fair and transparent election process as possible.”
The State Department official noted that there are many international and independent Pakistani monitoring missions in place and the US administration “looks forward to reviewing all of their assessments in the days ahead.”
“We will wait for the final election result and the chance to review the monitoring groups’ reports before commenting further on the process,” Thompson stated.
Meanwhile, Ambassadors of UK, US, Japan, China, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC) and European Union Countries on Monday visited different Polling station in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and expressed their satisfaction over polling process, security arrangements and performance of elections staff.
Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Seiji Kojina, Canadian Ambassador to Pakistan David B. Collins, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhao Hui, UK High Commissioner in Pakistan Robert Brinkley, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Pakistan Syed Al Awadh Asseri, , Chinese ambassador Lou Zhao Hui , Canadian ambassador David Collins and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Masha Allah Shakiri and other Ambassadors of different European and SAARC countries visited various polling stations in twin cities.
The envoys expressed satisfaction over electoral process and said that Pakistan’s polling process is not much different from other countries. The envoys hoped that the fair, free and transparent elections would not only start new era of prosperity but would boost democracy in the country. The citizens would get real democracy in case of free, fair and transparent elections, they added.
Meanwhile Foreign elections observers visited various polling stations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The observers from US, Europe and other countries also visited various polling stations and also talked with the polling staff and polling agents of the candidates.
They reviewed various stages of the polling process. About some of polling stations, observers said that most of the voters preferred to stay at home due to security concerns.
Foreign observers, ambassadors and analysts visited several polling stations in Peshawar on Monday and expressed satisfaction on the polling process.
Talking to Geo News, the observers expressed satisfaction over electoral process and said that Pakistan’s polling process is not much different from other countries.
The difference is in political parties and polling symbols.About some of polling stations, observers said that most of the voters preferred to stay at home due to security concerns.—Agencies