World | Pakistan
US senators say election was credible
Pakistan's general election was credible and legitimate and the moderate majority of the people had expressed their will and desire for change, a team of US senators that observed the vote said on Tuesday.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:53 February 20, 2008
Islamabad: Pakistan's general election was credible and legitimate and the moderate majority of the people had expressed their will and desire for change, a team of US senators that observed the vote said on Tuesday.
Senator John Kerry, referring to the violence, told a news conference the election had not been perfect.
"But ... in the end, those who did go out and vote, and the process that was put in place, resulted in an election that meets the basic threshold of credibility and of legitimacy in the eyes of Pakistani people, which is critical, but also in the eyes of those of us who observed," he said.
Kerry observed polling with Senators Joseph Biden, chairman of the US Senate foreign relations committee, and Chuck Hagel.
Biden said that, while he expected there would be complaints, it had been a credible election.
"The will of the moderate majority, and the vast majority of the Pakistani people are moderate and democratic, is becoming a reality," Biden said.
Meetings
The senators met Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto yesterday. They met former prime minister and opposition party leader Nawaz Sharif on Monday.
Biden said it was the responsibility of Pakistani leaders to focus on the future, restore constitutional order, a free press, an independent judiciary and powers to parliament.
"If they do the United States of America should do much more to help," said Biden.
A European Union observer mission was due to deliver its assessment of the vote later yestedday.
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