Islamabad: Rejecting allegations of "pre-poll rigging" from opposition parties, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today assured an EU delegation that his government is committed to hold free and fair elections on February 18.

The upcoming general election figured in discussions between Musharraf and a delegation led by Michael Gahler, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission in Pakistan. The delegation expressed concerns over statements by Pakistani opposition parties about "pre-poll rigging" and said the elections should be free and fair.

Musharraf rejected the allegations about rigging and said his government is committed to holding free, fair, transparent and peaceful polls, Dawn News channel reported. The Pakistani President also said there would be no further delay in holding the polls.

Elections to the national and four provincial assemblies were put off by the Election Commission from January 8 to February 18 following the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto last month. If any political party had reservations about the election process, it should approach the Election Commission, Musharraf told the delegation.

The EU plans to deploy over 100 observers to monitor the upcoming polls in Pakistan and is expected to issue an interim report in the next few days.
Noting that the EU observers had come on an "important mission", Musharraf said the government would welcome monitors from across the world for the elections.

Source : PTI