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Pakistanis vote in tense election Pakistanis vote in tense election
(about 1 hour later)
People in Pakistan have been voting in a crucial election overshadowed by political violence and fears of fraud. Polls have officially shut in Pakistan, after a key election which it is hoped will help end the country's crisis.
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 said President Pervez Musharraf's allies were planning massive fraud. They vowed to protest if they suspected foul play. BBC correspondents reported many irregularities in voting, and some incidents of violence.
Voting was slow in many areas, with some people fearing violence. However, there were none of the major bomb attacks which overshadowed the run-up to the elections.
The BBC's Chris Morris, in Islamabad, says 80 million people were eligible to vote, but many were expected to stay at home. But fears of violence dissuaded many of the country's 80 million eligible voters from leaving their homes, and voting in many places was slow.
Maira Zahur, who had just voted in the Pakistani capital, told the BBC News website she feared irregularities. Several people are reported to have been killed in election related violence during the course of the day.
"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 left my home today, and I prayed to God to bring me back safely Shah ZebElection official class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7244610.stm">Pakistanis describe the day class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7250020.stm">Reporters' log class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7249644.stm">High stakes for Musharraf
If God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together Asif Ali Zardari, PPP class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7244610.stm">Pakistanis describe the day class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7250020.stm">Reporters' log class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7249644.stm">High stakes for Musharraf In one incident in Daska district in the Punjab, a polling agent from one party reportedly shot dead an agent from a rival party after a dispute.
Correspondents said with no apparent attacks on polling stations, apprehensive citizens might be encouraged to vote late in the day. BBC journalists also reported party activists and voters being prevented from reaching polling stations - even being stoned or fired upon in some cases - and ballot boxes being stuffed.
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).
'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 led 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 said the vote would be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesPakistan: Key facts
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. Among the irregularities, 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.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.
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.
Voting began slowly, amid tight security
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.
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. 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.