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Musharraf faces election boycott Musharraf faces election boycott
(about 3 hours later)
Pakistan's main opposition alliance has announced a parliamentary boycott in protest at President Pervez Musharraf's plans to run again for office.Pakistan's main opposition alliance has announced a parliamentary boycott in protest at President Pervez Musharraf's plans to run again for office.
The alliance said its members would resign from parliament and the four provincial assemblies on 2 October.The alliance said its members would resign from parliament and the four provincial assemblies on 2 October.
It made the announcement on the day Gen Musharraf registered for the ballot. The Supreme Court is to decide if he can run for president while army chief.It made the announcement on the day Gen Musharraf registered for the ballot. The Supreme Court is to decide if he can run for president while army chief.
Earlier, the court ordered dozens of opposition members to be freed.Earlier, the court ordered dozens of opposition members to be freed.
We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MMA leader Timeline: Political rivals Order to free opposition We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MMA leader Timeline: Political rivals Order to free opposition
Gen Musharraf will stand down as army chief if he is elected for another presidential term, but, if not, he will keep his military post, his lawyers have said.Gen Musharraf will stand down as army chief if he is elected for another presidential term, but, if not, he will keep his military post, his lawyers have said.
Pakistan's president is not elected by the people, but by a ballot of federal and provincial assemblies.Pakistan's president is not elected by the people, but by a ballot of federal and provincial assemblies.
Earlier this week the United States called on Gen Musharraf to ensure the elections were free and fair.Earlier this week the United States called on Gen Musharraf to ensure the elections were free and fair.
He is a key ally in America's 'war on terror' but observers say Washington is worried about his declining popularity and the increasing problems of militancy in the country.He is a key ally in America's 'war on terror' but observers say Washington is worried about his declining popularity and the increasing problems of militancy in the country.
Credibility questionCredibility question
Opposition parties and lawyers have been campaigning to remove President Musharraf since he sacked the chief justice in March.Opposition parties and lawyers have been campaigning to remove President Musharraf since he sacked the chief justice in March.
Gen Musharraf says he will stay on as army chief if he is not re-electedGen Musharraf says he will stay on as army chief if he is not re-elected
"We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament," Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a leader of the powerful MMA religious alliance, told a news conference in Peshawar."We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament," Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a leader of the powerful MMA religious alliance, told a news conference in Peshawar.
The MMA is a major part of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) which was formed during protests earlier this year.The MMA is a major part of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) which was formed during protests earlier this year.
It is in power in North West Frontier Province and is a coalition partner in government in Balochistan.It is in power in North West Frontier Province and is a coalition partner in government in Balochistan.
The other main player in the APDM is the Pakistan Muslim League faction of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose power base is in Punjab province.The other main player in the APDM is the Pakistan Muslim League faction of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose power base is in Punjab province.
Alliance leaders say they will collect resignations from their members in the various assemblies and submit them on 2 October.Alliance leaders say they will collect resignations from their members in the various assemblies and submit them on 2 October.
"On 2 October, the NWFP chief minister will ask the provincial governor to dissolve the assembly," Maulana Rehman said."On 2 October, the NWFP chief minister will ask the provincial governor to dissolve the assembly," Maulana Rehman said.
KEY DATES 02 Oct: Date main opposition alliance to begin boycotting assemblies 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be heldKEY DATES 02 Oct: Date main opposition alliance to begin boycotting assemblies 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the opposition resignations are not enough to pose a legal or numerical problem for Gen Musharraf's re-election - and will in fact make it easier for him to demonstrate a clearer margin of parliamentary support.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the opposition resignations are not enough to pose a legal or numerical problem for Gen Musharraf's re-election - and will in fact make it easier for him to demonstrate a clearer margin of parliamentary support.
But the move may help erode the credibility of an electoral exercise already steeped in controversies, our correspondent says.But the move may help erode the credibility of an electoral exercise already steeped in controversies, our correspondent says.
If MPs from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto, another former PM, also resign, the election could become a farce, he adds.If MPs from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto, another former PM, also resign, the election could become a farce, he adds.
The PPP is not a part of the main opposition alliance, and has been seeking a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf.The PPP is not a part of the main opposition alliance, and has been seeking a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf.
CandidatesCandidates
The Supreme Court's crucial decision on the legality of the president's re-election plans is now expected on Friday, observers say.The Supreme Court's crucial decision on the legality of the president's re-election plans is now expected on Friday, observers say.
Opponents of Gen Musharraf want him out nowOpponents of Gen Musharraf want him out now
As well as Gen Musharraf, a retired judge filed his nomination for the presidential ballot on Thursday. Analysts say he has little chance of winning.As well as Gen Musharraf, a retired judge filed his nomination for the presidential ballot on Thursday. Analysts say he has little chance of winning.
The PPP also nominated a candidate, who it says will run if the Supreme Courts bars Gen Musharraf from standing and the election still goes ahead.The PPP also nominated a candidate, who it says will run if the Supreme Courts bars Gen Musharraf from standing and the election still goes ahead.
Thursday's developments follow months of political uncertainty in Pakistan, with vocal opposition to military rule.Thursday's developments follow months of political uncertainty in Pakistan, with vocal opposition to military rule.
It is unclear what might happen if President Musharraf is not re-elected.It is unclear what might happen if President Musharraf is not re-elected.
He appears set on keeping opposition protesters off the streets and critics says he is determined to cling to power, either as president or army chief, or both. He appears set on keeping opposition protesters off the streets and critics say he is determined to cling to power, either as president or army chief, or both.