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Pakistanis vote in tense election | Pakistanis vote in tense election |
(about 1 hour 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. |
Voting was slow in many areas, with some people fearing violence. | |
The BBC's Chris Morris, in Islamabad, says 80 million people are eligible to vote, but many are expected to stay at home. | |
Maira Zahur, who had just voted in the Pakistani capital, told the BBC News website she feared irregularities. | 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. | "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 Musharraf | 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 Musharraf |
However school principal Asim Hafeezullah, told us voting at his school was "very, very heavy, especially in the female section". | |
Correspondents said with no reports so far of attacks on polling stations, apprehensive citizens might be encouraged to vote late in the day. | Correspondents said with no reports so far of attacks on polling stations, apprehensive citizens might be encouraged to vote late in the day. |
Besides the wider democratic picture, concerns about the price of food and fuel were also affecting their choices, correspondents said. | |
Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT). | Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT). |
'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. | |
President Musharraf says the vote will be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesPakistan: Key facts | President 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. |
After voting in his hometown of Nawab Shah, he said: "The people's rule is bound to come." | After voting in his hometown of Nawab Shah, he said: "The people's rule is bound to come." |
President Musharraf, voting in Rawalpindi, vowed to work in "harmony" with whoever won the polls, his spokesman said. | 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. | 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. |
One, US Senator Joseph Biden, said he feared instability if the vote was rigged. | |
"If the majority of Pakistani people do not think the election was fair then I think we have a real problem," he said. | |
Security tight | Security 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. |
Voting began slowly, amid tight security | Voting 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. | In one tribal area near Peshawar, she said, elders had banned women from voting. |
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. | 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. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, PakistanSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, PakistanSend us your comments |
There were no reports of attacks on voters on election day itself, but in certain areas the fear of violence hung heavy. | 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." | |
Local police told the BBC that nine election security officers had gone missing, feared kidnapped, near the town of Bannu, in North West Frontier Province. | |
Prospects | Prospects |
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. |
Attention will then turn on the PPP, and whether it chooses to join forces with pro-Musharraf parties, or with Mr Sharif's party. | Attention will then turn on the PPP, and whether it chooses to join forces with pro-Musharraf parties, or with Mr Sharif's party. |
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. | 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. |
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. |