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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: AK2004 who wrote (19025)	10/11/2002 12:20:08 AM
From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 27666

Friday, 11 October, 2002, 01:42 GMT 02:42 UK Islamic parties surge in Pakistan poll Islamic fundamentalists have made a strong showing Early results in Pakistan's general elections have shown a surprisingly strong performance by anti-American Muslim fundamentalist parties. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), or United Action Front, has won the majority of the 20 or so seats officially declared so far. The widespread anti-American feeling among the people has clearly gone in our favour Qazi Hussain Ahmed, MMA The parliamentary and provincial elections are the first in Pakistan since President Pervez Musharraf seized power in a coup three years ago. Opinion polls have indicated a close race between former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the new pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), probably resulting in a hung parliament. There was tight security as voters went to the polls on Thursday and seven people were killed in clashes in eastern Punjab province and southern Sindh. General Musharraf promised the elections would be free and fair, but opponents have accused him of political repression and vote rigging. Anti-Americanism The BBC's World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge, who is in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, says the main surprise so far has been the performance of the MMA. The election is the first in Pakistan for five years Traditionally the Islamic parties have always found it hard to actually win seats but this time they have sought to capitalise on opposition to Pakistan's partnership with the United States in the bombing of Afghanistan and in the war on terror. "People wanted a change from the past corrupt rulers and the pro-US policies of General Musharraf," said MMA spokesman Qazi Hussain Ahmed. "The widespread anti-American feeling among the people has clearly gone in our favour and we are very happy over it," he said. The MMA appears to be doing particularly well in North West frontier province, bordering Afghanistan. Close contest In Pakistan's largest province, Punjab, the mainstream parties appear to be heading for a close result. Mrs Bhutto's PPP won four seats in Punjab and southern Sindh, while the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) - gained three seats in Punjab. The PML-Q won just one seat in Punjab, according to unofficial results. General Musharraf passed a decree which barred Mrs Bhutto and Mr Sharif from standing in the elections. Democracy doubts President Musharraf has vowed to transfer executive power to the new prime minister following the election. Musharraf has promised to end military rule He promised to return the country to civilian rule soon after he overthrew Mr Sharif in 1999, accusing the former prime minister of corruption. But critics say the steps towards democracy are cosmetic and real authority will remain with the president. General Musharraf has retained the power to dismiss the parliamentary assembly and extended his term of office by five years in a controversial referendum earlier this year. Despite observers' misgivings, the United States welcomed the election as "an important milestone in Pakistan's ongoing transition to democracy". Low turnout Nearly 72 million people were eligible to vote, but turnout was reported to be low at polling stations in cities. In most parts of the country, many women did not turn up to vote. In one polling station reserved for women, only 20% had cast their votes minutes before polls closed. The BBC's Shahid Malik says there was more enthusiasm among young people, as the lower age limit for voters was reduced from 21 to 18 in these polls. Nearly 100 parties contested the elections for seats in the national assembly and four regional legislatures, suspended then disbanded by President Musharraf. The new prime minister is expected to be sworn in on 1 November.