Press Releases 2007
U.S. To Support International, Domestic Observation Of Pakistan’s General Elections
10/11/2007
Islamabad – The United States Government will sponsor election
observation programs in support of Pakistan’s general elections, U.S.
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson announced today.
“The assistance
from the United States is part of the international community’s desire
to assist Pakistan in holding free, fair and transparent elections in
the country,” Ambassador Patterson said.
The United States
Government has signed agreements with the International Republican
Institute (IRI) and The Asia Foundation to conduct activities before,
during, and after the election.
IRI will deploy 12 long-term and
40 short-term international observers in Pakistan's four provinces to
conduct a pre-election assessment followed by election-day observation.
The
United States is also contributing to The Asia Foundation’s multi-donor
efforts to place independent domestic observers at polling places
nationwide.
A coalition of 30 Pakistani civil society
organizations will conduct nationwide monitoring of the pre-election
environment, election day procedures, and post-election announcement of
results and resolution of election disputes.
The United States
Government‘s election support also includes training of political party
officials, voter education, training of polling staff, and the purchase
of transparent ballot boxes.