Pakistan delays election

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-03-2008 09:08

Elections in Pakistan will now take place on February 18th. The delay follows the unrest caused by the assassination last week of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan's chief election commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq (R) addresses a press conference in Islamabad, Jan. 2, 2008. Faroop announced that Pakistan's general election, originally slated for Jan. 8, was postponed to Feb. 18.(Xinhua Photo)

In the latest, the opposition says it's against pushing back the election date but it still plans to take part.

The election is seen as a key step in bringing democracy to Pakistan after years of military rule. The Election Commission has announced parliamentary elections will be held on February the 18, instead of January the 8th.

Qazi Mohammad Farooq, Pakistani Election Commissioner, said, "I assure all the political parties the elections will be transparent in every way and I appeal to the leaders of the parties to accept the new date in the national interest and to fully participate in the elections."

Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party criticizes the delay saying the government is not sincere about holding fair elections.

Bhotto's widowed husband is now in charge of the day-to-day running of the PPP. He says they are against the election postponement.

Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's Husband, said, "Today, the Pakistan People's Party has decided, to take advice from other like-minded parties. We are opposed to the election postponement. But even so, we will take party in the elections, we will not let them get away."

The party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quickly followed suit. Sharif says his party will also take part in the elections.

The opposition alleges authorities are postponing the polls to help the ruling party. A leader from the pro-Musharraf party says they are unconcerned about when the elections were held.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei