Pakistan Elections Meaningless without Restoration of Constitution, Rule of Law

Contact: Deborah Hakes, 404-420-5124

Atlanta......The Carter Center deplores General Pervez Musharraf's announcement that January elections will be held under martial law. Elections are a necessary step to secure peace and sustainable democracy, but not with potential candidates under house arrest or expelled from Pakistan. No international observers would participate without the full restoration of the constitutional order, including the independent judiciary.

The Carter Center calls on General Musharraf to lift all restrictions on lawyers, judges, civil society, political opposition leaders, and private citizens. These actions are necessary to ensure that any future elections will reflect the genuine will of the Pakistani people.

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Carter Center Peace Program staff are available for interviews. Contact Deborah Hakes: 404-420-5124, dhakes@emory.edu.

The Carter Center has observed 69 elections in 27 countries since 1989.The Center is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization working to advance peace and health worldwide by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University. Please visit www.cartercenter.org to learn more about The Carter Center.

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