"Rigged polls will lead to war"

Bhutto's widowed husband and PPP Co-Chairman -- Asif Ali Zardari -- has issued a chilling warning to President Pervez Musharraf and his government. Speaking categorically on the probability of polls being rigged in Pakistan, Zardari said that Pakistan will face massive violence, which could lead to its break-up, if the government of President Pervez Musharraf carries out alleged plans to rig and disrupt elections scheduled to held on Monday (February 18, 2008).
"Up till now, I've shown absolute patience. My wife (former PM Benazir Bhutto) has been killed, yet I've calmed people down, stopped them from protesting. I've called no strike. But I'm telling you, people are absolutely on the warpath. If the elections are rigged, the situation will go out of my hands. We'll have no choice but to take it to the streets," said Asif Al Zardari, Co-chairman, PPP.
Musharraf issues warning
Meanwhile, in a related development, just ahead of the all important general elections in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf issued a stern warning to the opposition parties on Sunday (Feb 17, 2008) and took to preaching the virtues of a fair play to all contestants. Media reports quote him as saying,” Accept the result of Monday's elections and not resort to agitation if it goes against them."
The opposition parties have reportedly upped the ante ahead of the crucial polls following the reports of massive rigging doing the rounds. However, on Monday (February 18), the Pakistan President Musharraf will face his litmus test and the world will watch closely to see if he can keep his promise of making a smooth transition to democracy.
Mush promises free and fair elections
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has vowed to go ahead with tomorrow's key general elections, keenly watched by the world, despite a fresh wave of violence while the Opposition warned the dictator, whose fate hung in balance, of massive street protests if the vote is rigged.
"Any effort to derail the democratic process or the holding of elections will be foiled," Musharraf said as a violence-marred campaign which was overshadowed by the assassination of Pakistan People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto, ended on a bloody note with two suicide attacks last night that left 50 dead and 100 injured.
Analysts pointed out that Pakistan's problems might not end soon as the polls are widely expected to throw up a hung Parliament. Anti-Musharraf parties, who have threatened to impeach the dictator once they are in power, are jointly expected to sweep the election. A large number of international observers will monitor the polls touted as "mother of all elections" by Musharraf, who grabbed power in a 1999 bloodless military coup.
"Election will be held on 18th. People should stop speculations.... despite all rumours and insinuations these elections will be free, fair and transparent and peaceful," Musharraf said.
But opposition parties said that the polls, which were earlier fixed for Jan 8 but were put off following Bhutto's killing, could not be free and fair with Musharraf at the helm.
Stakes are high for Musharraf
For Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the stakes are high as the election results will decide his fate. The Pak President has enough reason to be worried as the party he has propped up -- the PML Q -- led by Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, is on shaky ground vis-a-vis the opposition. The PPP's stand-in chief -- Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif of the PML (N) -- are in talks and could stitch-up a post poll pact that could prove ruinous for the PML(Q).
The top leadership of the PML (Q) has taken its rival head-on. Commenting on the rivals, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, PML-Q leader reiterated:"What have Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif done? PPP got elected twice but were dismissed for corruption."
However, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, are not bogged down by PML-Q leader's warning, rather, they are more concerned about whether Musharraf is going to rig the elections or not.If the latest opinion surveys are to be believed, the opposition parties led by Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, have a clear lead over the King's party.