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Calls for early polls in Pakistan Pakistan early poll 'impossible'
(about 1 hour later)
Opposition parties and the US have urged Pakistan's government to go ahead with 8 January elections amid expectations that they will be delayed. The spokesman for Pakistan's election commission has said that holding parliamentary elections as scheduled on 8 January "looks impossible".
The party of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto warned that postponing the parliamentary elections could "open a floodgate of violence". But Kanwar Dilshad said the final decision would be reached on Wednesday after consulting political parties.
Her rival, Nawaz Sharif, vowed his party would "agitate" against a delay. The main opposition parties want the poll to go ahead as planned.
A statement on the vote was expected on Tuesday, but an official later said the announcement would come a day later. The campaign was thrown into doubt by the assassination of the opposition leader, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and the violence that followed.
Election commission secretary Kanwar Dilshad said more time was needed to decide, but that it might now be "impossible" to hold the election as scheduled. There are no grounds whatsoever for delaying the elections Raza Rabbani, deputy secretary general, PPP
"After consulting representatives of the political parties, we will take any final decision about the date of polls tomorrow," he said. Mr Dilshad told reporters that violent protests had directly affected the organisation of the poll in some parts of the country.
Analysts expect the poll to be delayed by several weeks in the wake of Ms Bhutto's assassination last Thursday and the violence which followed it. "We will inform the political parties about the situation in Sindh where our 13 offices were burnt," he said.
"We will inform them about the ground realities and then we will fix a date in consultation with them."
But opposition parties were quick to condemn any delay as a desperate measure to avoid defeat by the governing pro-Musharraf party.
"There are no grounds whatsoever for delaying the elections," said Raza Rabbani, deputy secretary general of Ms Bhutto's party, the PPP.
"It is being done only at the behest of the PML-Q as they are seeing their defeat," he said.
The other main opposition leader, former PM Nawaz Sharif, vowed his party would "agitate" against a delay.
The ruling PML-Q party has said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.The ruling PML-Q party has said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.
On Monday US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Washington wanted elections to go ahead as planned if they could be held in a "safe and secure" way.On Monday US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Washington wanted elections to go ahead as planned if they could be held in a "safe and secure" way.
'One-man calamity''One-man calamity'
Mr Sharif said his party would not accept the expected postponement.Mr Sharif said his party would not accept the expected postponement.
PPP TOP LEADERS Asif Ali Zardari Benazir's widower and former political ally, has faced corruption and other chargesBilawal Bhutto (pictured) Benazir's son, a 19-year-old Oxford University student, considered too young by some PPP membersMakhdoom Amin Fahim Senior PPP figure and top aide to Benazir class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165255.stm">Successors' challenge class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165619.stm">Readers react to succession class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165892.stm">Key questions on murder Mr Dilshad said some electoral offices have been wrecked
He told a news conference that President Pervez Musharraf was a "one-man calamity" and should step down immediately.He told a news conference that President Pervez Musharraf was a "one-man calamity" and should step down immediately.
Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, who has been nominated co-chair of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) along with their son, Bilawal, also said the elections should go ahead as planned.Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, who has been nominated co-chair of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) along with their son, Bilawal, also said the elections should go ahead as planned.
"There can be elections in Afghanistan when there is an al-Qaeda movement. Why can't there be elections in Pakistan and on time?" he asked in an interview with CNN."There can be elections in Afghanistan when there is an al-Qaeda movement. Why can't there be elections in Pakistan and on time?" he asked in an interview with CNN.
PPP senator Babar Awan warned of dire consequences if the vote was postponed.PPP senator Babar Awan warned of dire consequences if the vote was postponed.
"If elections are delayed, the constitution is violated, then this would amount (to an) opening of a floodgate of violence throughout the country," he said."If elections are delayed, the constitution is violated, then this would amount (to an) opening of a floodgate of violence throughout the country," he said.
At least 47 people have been killed in violence since Ms Bhutto's death.At least 47 people have been killed in violence since Ms Bhutto's death.
Shares downShares down
But correspondents say that life has been returning to normal in much of Pakistan, with many shops and offices re-opening.But correspondents say that life has been returning to normal in much of Pakistan, with many shops and offices re-opening.
Stocks fell by 4.7% on Monday as trading was resumed after three days of mourning following Ms Bhutto's death. PPP TOP LEADERS Asif Ali Zardari Benazir's widower and former political ally, has faced corruption and other chargesBilawal Bhutto (pictured) Benazir's son, a 19-year-old Oxford University student, considered too young by some PPP membersMakhdoom Amin Fahim Senior PPP figure and top aide to Benazir class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165255.stm">Successors' challenge class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165619.stm">Readers react to succession class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165892.stm">Key questions on murder
The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says the PPP wants elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote.The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says the PPP wants elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote.
Nawaz Sharif said he would "agitate" against any delay
The electoral commission has asked each of Pakistan's four provincial governments to compile reports on their readiness for an election.The electoral commission has asked each of Pakistan's four provincial governments to compile reports on their readiness for an election.
At least 10 local election offices have been burnt down in the rioting which followed Benazir Bhutto's death.At least 10 local election offices have been burnt down in the rioting which followed Benazir Bhutto's death.
Ballot boxes and voting screens have been destroyed and the printing of ballot papers - and their delivery around the country - has also been disrupted.Ballot boxes and voting screens have been destroyed and the printing of ballot papers - and their delivery around the country - has also been disrupted.
If the election does go ahead, it is not clear who the PPP would propose as prime minister.If the election does go ahead, it is not clear who the PPP would propose as prime minister.
At 19, Bilawal is legally too young to stand for parliament.At 19, Bilawal is legally too young to stand for parliament.
And his father has been repeatedly accused of corruption - though he denies the charges and has never been convicted in court.And his father has been repeatedly accused of corruption - though he denies the charges and has never been convicted in court.
Mr Zardari said PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim would probably be its candidate for prime minister.Mr Zardari said PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim would probably be its candidate for prime minister.