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 8 Version 9
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.
The worst act of pre-poll violence saw 47 killed at a rally on Saturday.The worst act of pre-poll violence saw 47 killed at a rally on Saturday.
Early voting was slow in major cities on Monday.Early voting was slow in major cities on Monday.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says this may be due to voters' fears about security, though they might also be taking advantage of the public holiday and enjoying a lie-in.The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says this may be due to voters' fears about security, though they might also be taking advantage of the public holiday and enjoying a lie-in.
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.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.
Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT).Polls close at 1700 (1200 GMT).
'Nation at stake''Nation at stake'
Both Mrs 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 Mrs 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.
If God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Live election diaryIn pictures: Pakistan votesHigh stakes for MusharrafIf God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Live election diaryIn pictures: Pakistan votesHigh stakes for Musharraf
Mrs Bhutto's widower and successor as party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, had threatened street protests in the event of vote-rigging, but was more conciliatory on Sunday.Mrs Bhutto's widower and successor as party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, had threatened street protests in the event of vote-rigging, but was more conciliatory on Sunday.
He said: "If God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together.He said: "If God gives us a chance... we will try to take all foes and friends together.
"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.""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."
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.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.
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.
President Musharraf says the vote will be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesVoters, boycottersPresident Musharraf says the vote will be free and fair Benazir's ghostBalance of forcesVoters, boycotters
But President Musharraf has also warned against street protests.But President Musharraf has also warned against street protests.
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.
On Sunday, four soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an explosive device in Baluchistan province, police said.On Sunday, four soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an explosive device in Baluchistan province, police said.
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.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.
Two bombs went off in a volatile north-western province, but no injuries were reported.Two bombs went off in a volatile north-western province, but no injuries were reported.
Saturday's deadly attack took place in the town of Parachinar, near the border with Afghanistan, when a suicide car bomber drove into a crowd of people that had gathered outside the house of a politician allied to the PPP.Saturday's deadly attack took place in the town of Parachinar, near the border with Afghanistan, when a suicide car bomber drove into a crowd of people that had gathered outside the house of a politician allied to the PPP.
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.
Many Bhutto supporters blame the president for her deathThe BBC's Barbara Plett in Pakistan 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 Mrs Bhutto's murder. Voting began slowly, amid tight securityThe BBC's Barbara Plett in Pakistan 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 Mrs Bhutto's murder.
But, she says, if it forms an alliance with Mr Sharif's party there could be confrontation with the presidency.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.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.It the two opposition parties jointly gain two-thirds of the seats, they may try to impeach President Musharraf.
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
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.