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Interference will not be tolerated in polls: Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD AUG. 9. Pakistan today virtually served a notice on the international community that it would not tolerate any "interference" in its internal affairs vis-à-vis the October general elections.

A Government spokesman took strong exception to a report in the Financial Times, London, quoting the Commonwealth Secretary-General's charges of "pre-election rigging" by the Musharraf Government. ``It is highly deplorable that the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth should choose to make remarks in respect of a member country of the Commonwealth which are derogatory, betray prejudice and are impermissible to his mandate. It is scarcely intelligent to pre-judge events and needlessly voice biased forecasts. The Secretary-General may keep his counsel and refrain from further comment'', he said.

The Musharraf Government had announced that observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of Islamic Countries and SAARC would be in Pakistan to oversee the elections. However, if the experience of the advanced delegation of the European Union, which arrived here three days ago, is any indication, the international teams have a tough job on their hands.

On the first day, the team called on the Chief Election Commissioner, Irshad Hasan Khan, and was assured that preparations were on to ensure a "free, fair and transparent" election. At the same time, the CEC made it a point to tell them that while they were welcome to observe the elections, they would not be deemed monitors. The delegation was confronted with an altogether different picture when they met representatives of the main political parties, who complained about "pre-election rigging".

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