This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7249455.stm

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Pakistanis vote in tense election Pakistanis vote in tense election
(about 2 hours later)
People in Pakistan are voting in a crucial election overshadowed by political violence and fears of fraud.People in Pakistan are voting in a crucial election overshadowed by political violence and fears of fraud.
The parliamentary poll was delayed after the killing of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, and is intended to complete a transition to civilian rule.The parliamentary poll was delayed after the killing of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, and is intended to complete a transition to civilian rule.
The two major opposition parties say President Pervez Musharraf's allies are planning massive fraud. They have vowed to protest if they suspect foul play.The two major opposition parties say President Pervez Musharraf's allies are planning massive fraud. They have vowed to protest if they suspect foul play.
One of the worst acts of violence saw 47 killed at a rally on Saturday.One of the worst acts of violence saw 47 killed at a rally on Saturday.
Voting was slow in major cities on Monday morning.Voting was slow in major cities on Monday morning.
The BBC's Chris Morris, in Islamabad, says 80 million people are eligible to vote, but many are expected to stay at home, largely because of fears about security.The BBC's Chris Morris, in Islamabad, says 80 million people are eligible to vote, but many are expected to stay at home, largely because of fears about security.
He adds the slow start may also be due to people taking advantage of the public holiday and enjoying a lie-in. Maira Zahur, who had just voted in the Pakistani capital, told the BBC News website she feared irregularities.
"I think we have a responsibility to go out and vote even though I don't have any faith in the election process. I fear that it will be rigged," she said.
If God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Pakistanis describe the dayReporters' logHigh stakes for MusharrafIf God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Pakistanis describe the dayReporters' logHigh stakes for Musharraf
He says that while voters are mindful of the broader significance of the election, concerns about the price of food and fuel are also affecting their choices. However school principal Asim Hafeezullah, told us voting at his school was "very, very heavy, especially in the female section". He complained he had not been pre-warned his school would be used for polling.
Correspondents said with no reports so far of attacks on polling stations, apprehensive citizens might be encouraged to vote late in the day.
They said that while voters were mindful of the broader significance of the election, concerns about the price of food and fuel were also affecting their choices.
Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT).Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT).
Another correspondent said apprehensive voters might be waiting in front of their televisions to see if there were any attacks on polling stations. Since there were no reports of major incidents by midday, that might encourage them to get out and vote.
'Nation at stake''Nation at stake'
Both Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which is leading in opinion polls, and the party of her former rival Nawaz Sharif reiterated concerns that the vote would be rigged on Sunday.Both Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which is leading in opinion polls, and the party of her former rival Nawaz Sharif reiterated concerns that the vote would be rigged on Sunday.
President Musharraf says the vote will be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesPakistan: Key factsPresident Musharraf says the vote will be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesPakistan: Key facts
Ms Bhutto's widower and successor as party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, has threatened street protests in the event of vote-rigging.Ms Bhutto's widower and successor as party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, has threatened street protests in the event of vote-rigging.
"I think we have reached the breaking point where if we don't band together, we will lose this great nation which we call Pakistan," he said on Sunday. After voting in his hometown of Nawab Shah, he said: "The people's rule is bound to come."
There are many local election observers on the ground. But apart from a contingent from the EU, not many international observers are present - some have not been invited, while others have stayed away due to concerns about gaining access to the vote. President Musharraf, voting in Rawalpindi, vowed to work in "harmony" with whoever won the polls, his spokesman said.
There are many local election observers on the ground, but few international observers, who have either not been invited or complained they could not work freely.
Security tightSecurity tight
The authorities have stressed repeatedly that the vote will be free and fair.The authorities have stressed repeatedly that the vote will be free and fair.
However, one polling station in Lahore was shut down on Monday due to suspected irregularities, while an election officer in another constituency was arrested over hundreds of missing ballot papers.However, one polling station in Lahore was shut down on Monday due to suspected irregularities, while an election officer in another constituency was arrested over hundreds of missing ballot papers.
President Musharraf has warned against street protests.
Voting began slowly, amid tight securityVoting began slowly, amid tight security
Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, have been deployed for the voting.Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, have been deployed for the voting.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, outside a polling station in Lahore, described a barrier designed to prevent car bombs and a heavy police presence.The BBC's Barbara Plett, outside a polling station in Lahore, described a barrier designed to prevent car bombs and a heavy police presence.
She said men and women were in separate queues for voting.She said men and women were in separate queues for voting.
There were reports that some people had struggled to find their names on the register and were going away angry, suspecting rigging - though it may just have been poor organisation.There were reports that some people had struggled to find their names on the register and were going away angry, suspecting rigging - though it may just have been poor organisation.
In one tribal area near Peshawar, she said, elders had banned women from voting. The area is a PPP stronghold and the ban may affect the outcome, since the party is well supported by women. In one tribal area near Peshawar, she said, elders had banned women from voting.
On Sunday, four soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an explosive device in Balochistan province, police said. On Sunday, in two separate incidents in Lahore, gunmen opened fire on supporters of Mr Sharif's PML-N party, with at least four people killed, including a candidate in the provincial election.
In two separate incidents in Lahore, gunmen opened fire on supporters of Mr Sharif's PML-N party, with at least three people killed, including a candidate in the provincial election. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, Pakistan class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4308=2=20080217215129">Send us your comments
Two bombs went off in a volatile north-western province, but no injuries were reported. There were no reports of attacks on voters on election day itself, but in certain areas the fear of violence hung heavy.
In the town of Charsadda, in volatile North-West Frontier Province, election official Shah Zeb told the AP news agency: "We're all afraid but what can we do? I left my home today, and I prayed to God to bring me back safely. Now it is in the hands of God."
ProspectsProspects
Analysts say polls suggest a fair vote is likely to result in a hung parliament, with none of the three biggest parties winning a majority.Analysts say polls suggest a fair vote is likely to result in a hung parliament, with none of the three biggest parties winning a majority.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, Pakistan class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4308=2=20080217215129">Send us your comments Attention will then turn on the PPP, and whether it chooses to join forces with pro-Musharraf parties, or with Mr Sharif's party.
Barbara Plett says that if the PPP then joins forces with pro-Musharraf parties, there may be a backlash within its rank and file, which blames the president for Ms Bhutto's murder. Mr Sharif is staunchly opposed to the president, and if the two opposition parties jointly gain two-thirds of the seats, they may try to impeach him, correspondents say.
But, she says, if it forms an alliance with Mr Sharif's party there could be confrontation with the presidency.
Mr Sharif has refused to work with the president unless he reinstates judges sacked when he imposed emergency rule late last year, in what was widely seen as an attempt to head off a challenge to his re-election as president.
It the two opposition parties jointly gain two-thirds of the seats, they may try to impeach President Musharraf.
Mr Musharraf stepped down as army chief late last year. He has ruled the country since seizing power in a coup in 1999.Mr Musharraf stepped down as army chief late last year. He has ruled the country since seizing power in a coup in 1999.
The nuclear-armed country is a key ally in the so-called US "war on terror", with President Musharraf's government facing a growing pro-Taleban insurgency.The nuclear-armed country is a key ally in the so-called US "war on terror", with President Musharraf's government facing a growing pro-Taleban insurgency.