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Musharraf party 'lagging in poll' Musharraf foes triumph at polls
(20 minutes later)
Pakistani opposition parties are well ahead in the country's elections, President Musharraf's allies say. Pakistan's two main opposition parties have won the greatest share of votes in parliamentary polls, delivering a major blow to President Pervez Musharraf.
The ruling PML-Q would be consigned to the opposition if provisional results - from more than half of seats - were confirmed, said spokesman Tariq Azeem. A spokesman for the party allied to Mr Musharraf said it had accepted defeat.
Supporters of opposition parties including Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and the PPP of the late Benazir Bhutto have been celebrating in the streets. The PPP of late PM Benazir Bhutto and the PML-N, led by another former PM, Nawaz Sharif, now share more than half the seats, partial results show.
Mr Musharraf insists he will accept the result, regardless of who wins. Pakistan is now set for a coalition government that could challenge Mr Musharraf's legitimacy as president.
He is not standing in the parliamentary election himself, but a clear defeat of his supporters could herald struggles over his presidency, analysts suggest. President Musharraf has been a major US ally in the "war on terror" but his popularity has waned at home amid accusations of authoritarianism and incompetence.
The poll took place on Monday, having been delayed following Ms Bhutto's assassination on 27 December. His forces have been trying to contain a Taleban-influenced Islamist insurgency along the country's rugged frontier with Afghanistan.
High-profile victims The election has been preceded by months of violence, including the suicide attack that killed PPP leader, Ms Bhutto, in December.
Unofficial and provisional results showed big gains for Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto's parties.
The latest figures appeared to give both parties about 30% of the vote and more than 50 seats each, with Ms Bhutto's party slightly ahead.
The PML-Q was trailing a distant third, while smaller parties and independents also picked up seats.
Whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself President Musharraf Analysis: Musharraf reelingPakistani press upbeatWhosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself President Musharraf Analysis: Musharraf reelingPakistani press upbeat
"If the results are confirmed we will play the part of the opposition as effectively as we can," Mr Azeem told the AFP news agency. The poll was initially scheduled for early January but was delayed after her assassination.
Mr Musharraf had said he would accept the result, regardless of who won.
Though he did not stand in the parliamentary election himself, correspondents say the clear defeat of his supporters has made his position more precarious.
Democratic mandate
Supporters of the PPP and PML-N were celebrating in the streets on Tuesday.
Leaders of both opposition parties had earlier warned the polls would be rigged in favour of the government.
NATIONAL RESULTS SO FAR PPP (Bhutto's party) : 85PML-N (Nawaz Sharif): 64PML-Q: (pro-Musharraf) 36MQM (Sindh-based): 19ANP (Secular Pashtuns): 10Others: 29 Source: Geo TV
The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says the next government will be a coalition with a strong democratic mandate.
It will have to decide how it chooses to work with a president who has never had much time for politicians with broad popular support, he says.
Unofficial and provisional results showed big gains for Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto's parties.
Both parties so far appear to have won 139 seats, securing more than half of the 272-seat parliament.
The pro-Musharraf PML-Q was a distant third, with 33 seats.
Several notable ministers in the government had lost their seats, while dramatic gains were made by some smaller parties.
Most results were due in by Tuesday morning Pakistanis react to poll trendsIn pictures: Ballot count
In the North West Frontier Province, the Awami National Party - a Pashtun party allied to the PPP - appeared to have defeated the Islamist incumbents.
The chairman of the pro-Musharraf PML-Q party, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, told Associated Press Television News his party accepted the results "with an open heart" and was prepared to "sit on opposition benches".
Most official counts will not be declared until later on Tuesday.Most official counts will not be declared until later on Tuesday.
But high-profile victims of the poll were reported to include party president Chaudry Shujaat Hussain and his close ally, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid.
They were among the PML-Q losses in Punjab, the country's most populous province and a key electoral battleground.
Pakistani newspapers spoke of a "rout" of Mr Musharraf's allies, with The News proclaiming: "Democracy takes revenge."Pakistani newspapers spoke of a "rout" of Mr Musharraf's allies, with The News proclaiming: "Democracy takes revenge."
"The result will be the voice of the nation and whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself," said Mr Musharraf."The result will be the voice of the nation and whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself," said Mr Musharraf.
Turnout PML-N leader Nawaz 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 Mr Musharraf, correspondents say.
Celebrations were continuing in the streets of cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi as news of early results trickled out. Mr Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999.
International pressure forced him to step down as army chief last year and the parliamentary election has been viewed as a key milestone along Pakistan's path from military to civilian rule.
Fear of violence
Celebrations broke out on the streets of cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi as news of the results trickled out.
HAVE YOUR SAYI hope that this current election is a positive step towards democracy, peace and economical growthAtif Majid, KuwaitSend us your comments'Referendum' on Musharraf?
At least 20 people are reported to have died in election-day violence, with the PPP reporting 15 of its members killed.At least 20 people are reported to have died in election-day violence, with the PPP reporting 15 of its members killed.
Most results were due in by Tuesday morning Pakistanis react to poll trendsIn pictures: Ballot count
There were also reports of missing ballot boxes.There were also reports of missing ballot boxes.
But there was also widespread relief that there were none of the major bomb attacks which had marred the run-up to the election.But there was also widespread relief that there were none of the major bomb attacks which had marred the run-up to the election.
Fears of violence had dissuaded many of the country's 80 million eligible voters from leaving their homes, and voter turnout was estimated to be less than 40%. Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, had been deployed to quell any outbreak of fighting. Fears of violence had dissuaded many of the country's 80 million eligible voters from leaving their homes, and voter turnout was estimated to be less than 40%.
The wait for news of the next government is the start of fresh uncertainty in Pakistan, says the BBC's Jill McGivering in Karachi. Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, had been deployed to quell any outbreak of violence.
Even once the election results are clear, there will still be plenty of behind-the-scenes bargaining to come, she says.
Future in the balance
Polls suggest a fair vote is likely to result in a hung parliament, with none of the three biggest parties winning a majority, analysts suggest.
HAVE YOUR SAYI hope that this current election is a positive step towards democracy, peace and economical growthAtif Majid, KuwaitSend us your comments'Referendum' on Musharraf?
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 Mr Musharraf, 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.