The United States has urged President Pervez Musharraf [Images] to ensure that political parties in Pakistan can freely campaign for the upcoming general election to help the country move 'forward on the democratic road.'

"It is extremely important now that there be a very robust and concerted effort to make sure that now that the state of emergency has been lifted that the political campaign that needs to take place can take place in an atmosphere conducive with free and -- to free and fair elections," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

"And that means that opposition has to be able to gather and mobilize; has to have access to the press. And I think that's the next test for Pakistan," Rice told media persons enroute to Paris where she was to attend a Palestinian donors' conference.

Rice said the election will be closely watched by the international community, and will be 'a different and new day in Pakistan' after the polls.

The top US diplomat praised Musharraf, saying he did 'precisely' what he said he would do in terms of lifting of the state of emergency.

"It is a good thing that the state of emergency has been lifted," she said.

She refused to speculate on what would happen during the election, saying the US 'obviously stand for a free and fair' polls and an 'independent' judiciary.

Opposition parties have expressed fears that the government will rig the election to come back to power.