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Pakistan presidency vote begins Pakistan holds presidential vote
(20 minutes later)
Pakistani lawmakers are voting for a new president, even though it is unclear if the current president, Pervez Musharraf, has the right to run. Pakistani lawmakers have finished voting for a new president, even though it is unclear if the current president, Pervez Musharraf, has the right to run.
Gen Musharraf is set to win the race, which sees parliament and Pakistan's four provincial assemblies vote.Gen Musharraf is set to win the race, which sees parliament and Pakistan's four provincial assemblies vote.
But the Supreme Court says no winner can be declared until it rules if Gen Musharraf can stand while army chief.But the Supreme Court says no winner can be declared until it rules if Gen Musharraf can stand while army chief.
A deal with former PM Benazir Bhutto means her supporters will not join an opposition boycott of the election.A deal with former PM Benazir Bhutto means her supporters will not join an opposition boycott of the election.
On Friday Gen Musharraf dropped corruption charges against Ms Bhutto - a stride towards an expected power-sharing deal.On Friday Gen Musharraf dropped corruption charges against Ms Bhutto - a stride towards an expected power-sharing deal.
Gen Musharraf hopes the reconciliation agreement, as it is called, will add credibility to his government. HAVE YOUR SAY If both the sides are serious, it should work. This should bring the much-desired stability to Pakistan Bijal Bhatt, Auckland, New Zealand class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3644&edition=1&ttl=20071006084239">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7030116.stm"> Musharraf's bitter-sweet day class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7030597.stm">How the president is elected
Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is the largest in the country. Gen Musharraf hopes the reconciliation agreement, as it is called, will add credibility to his government. Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is the largest in the country.
Security was tight in cities across Pakistan for Saturday's vote, after opposition parties and lawyers' groups called for protests.
In Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, police fired tear gas at lawyers protesting near the assembly building.
Gen Musharraf's supporters dominate the assemblies, thanks to elections five years ago widely condemned as rigged.
'Just a formality''Just a formality'
Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, at the same time as the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, at the same time as the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".
HAVE YOUR SAY If both the sides are serious, it should work. This should bring the much-desired stability to Pakistan Bijal Bhatt, Auckland, New Zealand Send us your comments Musharraf's bitter-sweet day How the president is elected
Gen Musharraf will step down as army chief, but only if he wins the election, his lawyers have said.Gen Musharraf will step down as army chief, but only if he wins the election, his lawyers have said.
Voting is taking place from 1000 to 1500 (0500 to 1000 GMT). Voting was due to take place from 1000 to 1500 (0500 to 1000 GMT).
KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential vote is held 17 Oct: Supreme Court to resume hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January
But Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court throws the presidential election into confusion.But Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court throws the presidential election into confusion.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says government officials called the decision a formality but analysts said it was a serious setback that would place a question mark over the legitimacy of the poll.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says government officials called the decision a formality but analysts said it was a serious setback that would place a question mark over the legitimacy of the poll.
It means that even if Gen Musharraf does get the most votes he cannot be declared winner until the court has decided if he was a valid candidate in the first place.It means that even if Gen Musharraf does get the most votes he cannot be declared winner until the court has decided if he was a valid candidate in the first place.
KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential vote due to be held 17 Oct: Supreme Court to resume hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January
On 28 September the court dismissed a number of earlier objections filed by Gen Musharraf's opponents on technical grounds.On 28 September the court dismissed a number of earlier objections filed by Gen Musharraf's opponents on technical grounds.
That led to fresh petitions being filed.That led to fresh petitions being filed.
The judges said they would not make a final decision before 17 October, which coincides with the day Ms Bhutto says she will leave London to return from years of self-imposed exile.The judges said they would not make a final decision before 17 October, which coincides with the day Ms Bhutto says she will leave London to return from years of self-imposed exile.
Correspondents say Gen Musharraf was waiting for the court's verdict before formalising a power-sharing deal with Ms Bhutto.Correspondents say Gen Musharraf was waiting for the court's verdict before formalising a power-sharing deal with Ms Bhutto.
The ordinance signed into law on Friday exempts any person charged with - but not convicted of - corruption between 3 January 1986 and 12 October 1999.The ordinance signed into law on Friday exempts any person charged with - but not convicted of - corruption between 3 January 1986 and 12 October 1999.
Correspondents say it is designed to exclude another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, whose corruption cases date from 2000.Correspondents say it is designed to exclude another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, whose corruption cases date from 2000.
The amnesty paves the way for Ms Bhutto's return to contest parliamentary elections scheduled to be held by mid-January.The amnesty paves the way for Ms Bhutto's return to contest parliamentary elections scheduled to be held by mid-January.