Pakistan election may be postponed

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-01-2008 09:54

Tension continues to grip Pakistan after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last Thursday. The Election Commission says it will decide Tuesday on whether to put off the Parliamentary elections.

Pakistan election may be postponed

The Election Commission says it's recommending an unspecified delay in the parliamentary polls, following unrest triggered by the assassination of Bhutto.

The commission asked provincial governments to submit reports on the law and order situation and then it would make a decision.

A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed the elections would be postponed by about six weeks.

Several opposition parties want the polls held on time as scheduled on January the 8th, perhaps sensing major electoral gains are possible amid sympathy at Bhutto's death.

They say postponing the elections would violate the constitution, and violence would continue throughout the country.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn his decision to boycott the elections.

Meanwhile, disagreements between Bhutto's supporters and the government over the precise cause of death have intensified over the past few days.

Earlier, the government revealed that Bhutto was killed when the force of the explosion caused by the suicide bombing crashed her head against a lever on the sun-roof of her vehicle, rather than the three gun shots and bomb blast.

But Bhutto's People's Party insists that the three bullets struck her, saying two hit her in the neck and one in the head.

Editor:Liu Fang