HYDERABAD, Jan 29: A two-member delegation of European Union long term election observers called on a group of lawyers here on Tuesday and assured them that they would make recommendations about the election process in the light of their observations in Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta and Badin districts.

They told the lawyers that the recommendations would be submitted to European Union and they would have an effect on EU policies vis-a-vis Pakistan regarding transparency in electoral process, said Ayaz Latif Palijo, head of lawyers team that briefed the two officials about election malpractices in the obtaining circumstances.

The delegation which comprised Gesa Schoeneberg (Germany) and Janno Simm (Astonia) met Mr Palijo in his office where Haroon Rashid, Abdul Rehman Sheikh, Abdul Moeed Sheikh and other lawyers were also present.

The EU observers discussed in detail the situation after the announcement of election schedule in the four districts, their area of operation during election process and on polling day. They wanted to know how rigging may take place.

The officials were briefed about numerous FIRs registered in the wake of the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto under sections 6/7 of the Anti Terrorism Act and some sections of the PPC. The observers asked about the parameters of these sections.

Mr Palijo informed them about these clauses and sections of law and also threw light on how certain government-backed political groups are operating in Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and Dadu districts.

The officials asked how bogus votes could be cast to which Mr Palijo said that in the interior of Sindh it is a common practice that voters rub wax on their thumbs that could easily be removed or washed after being marked with ink for casting votes. Thus the same people could cast second or bogus votes.

The lawyers said that in Hyderabad certain areas are stronghold of a government-backed party and they find it hard traditionally to have access to these areas.

The EU officials were told that aerial firing is resorted to create disturbance when a government-backed party finds its position vulnerable at a particular polling station.

The lawyers said that it is a general impression that the west is supporting the present government and presence of EU election observers is nothing but eyewash.

“Yes we did tell them that … their presence … will serve as a tool of legitimacy for Musharraf regime. The president would be telling the world that elections were monitored by EU election observers as well”, Mr Palijo told Dawn.

He said that in response to their reservations, the observers said that EU policies are quite different from those of United Kingdom and US.

He said that the observers were concerned about transparency of the polls.