The Commonwealth has appointed former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as head of its Election Observation Mission to Pakistan to observe the general elections scheduled for Feb. 8.
Ikechukwu Eze, Special Adviser to Jonathan said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that Jonathan would lead a group of multidisciplinary experts from across the Commonwealth to observe the elections in Pakistan as well as offer an independent and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process.
He added that the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) would be supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat led by Mr Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of the Electoral Support Section.
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He added that the 13-member observer group was due to arrive in Islamabad on Feb. 1, and would remain in the country until the electoral process was completed.
Eze quoted the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland as expressing her gratitude to Jonathan for agreeing to undertake the assignment.
Scotland said that the COG would benefit from Jonathan’s leadership, experience and wisdom.
Applauding Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and Scotland said that the organisation was pleased to support Pakistan’s democratic journey and looks forward to peaceful and fair elections.
Scotland called on all stakeholders, including political parties and their supporters, to contribute to a peaceful election in keeping with the commonwealth values.
She said that a final report, which would include recommendations to help improve future electoral processes, would be presented to the government of Pakistan, the Election Commission and shared with other stakeholders. (NAN)
