Pakistan’s Gen. Pervez Musharraf was elected to a third presidential term Saturday, winning a majority of the votes cast by lawmakers amid protests from opposition parties who called his candidacy unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court could choose to rule Musharraf, who came to power following a bloodless coup in October 1999, ineligible to hold office. On Friday, the court barred the Election Commission from officially declaring a winner.
Musharraf got 252 of the 257 votes cast in the national assembly and Senate. His key rival, retired Supreme Court justice Wajihuddin Ahmad, won less than a handful. Media reports from the country’s four provinces said Musharraf won the majority of votes cast there as well.
"The results show the people want continuity, stability and economic growth," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told Pakistan Television. Aziz is a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam that extended support to Musharraf, along with its allies, in Saturday’s polls.
A court hearing on Musharraf’s eligibility resumes Oct. 17. The bench is thought likely to rule in Musharraf’s favor, amid speculation that he will impose martial law if he loses the court battle.
Musharraf’s current presidential term expires Nov. 15. He has agreed to give up his army greens if re-elected president. His hand-picked successor, Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, who now heads the Inter Services Intelligence agency, is perceived as a moderate.
A key opposition party in parliament, the All Parties Democratic Movement, called a nationwide strike Saturday to protest the polls. Throughout the country there were scattered anti-Musharraf protests, including those in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
"One was expecting a more forward march toward democracy through the elections. But with the military power structure being so strong, it’s impossible to dislodge them," said political commentator Ret. Gen. Talaut Masood. "There is great despondency among voters."
Musharraf’s failed attempts to fire the Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry this year drew increased protests against his rule, especially among the legal community. He also had to deal with a rise in Islamist militancy in the run up to the polls (see "Pakistan Faces Potential Al-Qaida Threat"), in response to his government’s crackdown on terrorists within the country.
However, the military leader could see his power erode once the new army chief takes over. And he may not rule alone if the political party elected in the general elections--due in early 2008--differs from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam.
The Supreme Court could choose to rule Musharraf, who came to power following a bloodless coup in October 1999, ineligible to hold office. On Friday, the court barred the Election Commission from officially declaring a winner.
Musharraf got 252 of the 257 votes cast in the national assembly and Senate. His key rival, retired Supreme Court justice Wajihuddin Ahmad, won less than a handful. Media reports from the country’s four provinces said Musharraf won the majority of votes cast there as well.
"The results show the people want continuity, stability and economic growth," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told Pakistan Television. Aziz is a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam that extended support to Musharraf, along with its allies, in Saturday’s polls.
A court hearing on Musharraf’s eligibility resumes Oct. 17. The bench is thought likely to rule in Musharraf’s favor, amid speculation that he will impose martial law if he loses the court battle.
Musharraf’s current presidential term expires Nov. 15. He has agreed to give up his army greens if re-elected president. His hand-picked successor, Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, who now heads the Inter Services Intelligence agency, is perceived as a moderate.
A key opposition party in parliament, the All Parties Democratic Movement, called a nationwide strike Saturday to protest the polls. Throughout the country there were scattered anti-Musharraf protests, including those in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
"One was expecting a more forward march toward democracy through the elections. But with the military power structure being so strong, it’s impossible to dislodge them," said political commentator Ret. Gen. Talaut Masood. "There is great despondency among voters."
Musharraf’s failed attempts to fire the Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry this year drew increased protests against his rule, especially among the legal community. He also had to deal with a rise in Islamist militancy in the run up to the polls (see "Pakistan Faces Potential Al-Qaida Threat"), in response to his government’s crackdown on terrorists within the country.
However, the military leader could see his power erode once the new army chief takes over. And he may not rule alone if the political party elected in the general elections--due in early 2008--differs from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam.
I'm no expert in Pakistani politics, but what does the future bode for the country?
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