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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 have been 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 said President Pervez Musharraf's allies were planning massive fraud. They vowed to protest if they suspected foul play.
Voting was slow in many areas, with some people fearing violence.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. The BBC's Chris Morris, in Islamabad, says 80 million people were eligible to vote, but many were 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 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
However school principal Asim Hafeezullah, told us voting at his school was "very, very heavy, especially in the female section". Correspondents said with no apparent 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.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.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 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. Some irregularities were reported. The presiding officer of a polling station in east Karachi - a PPP stronghold - said his police escort took him to the wrong location, leaving him 5km (three miles) from the station, meaning polling was delayed by five hours.
Ms Bhutto's widower and successor as PPP 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.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."If the majority of Pakistani people do not think the election was fair then I think we have a real problem," he said.
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.
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.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 commentsHAVE 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."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.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.
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.
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.