The Foreign Office has invited international observers to monitor the general election being held in May, but says they would have to follow the requirements set for such missions.

“The Government of Pakistan would welcome foreign election observers who wish to observe the transparent conduct of elections after completion of due formalities,” Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said on Tuesday after abriefing organised for diplomatic missions on election monitoring.At the specially arranged session, officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the ministries of foreign affairs, Interior and Information unveiled the government policy concerning election observers and the code of conduct governing poll monitoring.

A full-scale international observation typically includes pre-election day observation, monitoring of day of polling and post-election follow-up.Diplomats were assured that the government would do everything possible to facilitate the working of foreign election observers.“The Government of Pakistan is committed to facilitating free, fair and transparent elections,” the diplomats were informed.

But, at the same time, the diplomats were told that observers should not try to influence the electoral and political process.“Strict political impartiality shall be maintained by observers at all times during the election process,” the code of conduct for election observation says and cautions against monitors exhibiting any bias or preference.

A mechanism for accreditation of the teams of observers with the ECP has been devised which involves strict security clearances for observers to be deployed in the country by international bodies.Several international bodies, including the European Union, have expressed keen interest in monitoring the polls.