Xinhua
Ottawa, Feb 15 (Xinhua) Canada will send four observers to Pakistan for the Feb 18 general elections there, officials announced. Canada will be part of the European Union election observation mission to Pakistan, Minister of International Cooperation Beverley J. Oda and Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier announced here in a joint statement Thursday.

Canada will also help Pakistan’s local governments in the delivery of basic social services in the community to promote the democratic processes, Oda said.

Bernier urged Islamabad to hold free and fair elections. He said the Feb 18 elections present Pakistan with “the opportunity to take an important step towards restoring democracy and foster long-term stability in the region”.

President Pervez Musharraf said the general elections for members of national and provincial assemblies Feb 18 will be held as scheduled and the voting would be transparent.
Xinhua