European Union election monitors on Wednesday charged Pakistan government agencies with favouring the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid, saying a level playing field was denied to the opposition for the election campaign.

"A level playing field was not provided for the campaign, with public authorities primarily favouring the ruling party," the EU said in a statement after the Monday polls.

Opposition parties, which had expressed fears of massive rigging by the establishment, swept to victory, ousting the ruling PML-Q which was being backed by President Pervez Musharraf [Images].

"However, on election day, voting was assessed as positive on the whole, although some disorder and procedural irregularities were noted," the statement said.

"We are relieved that Election Day has passed off better than had been anticipated," chief EU observer Michael Gahler said.

"However, elections were held in an environment that provided significant challenges for the conduct of democratic elections," he said.