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Pakistanis Await Poll Returns

Voter turnout light, international observers expect rigging

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 18, 2008 5:09 AM CST
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(Newser) – Polls have closed in Pakistani elections long-delayed by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, as fears of violence kept voter turnout down to an estimated 15%, Reuters reports. Heavy security, with more than 470,000 police and soldiers deployed at polls nationwide, did little to assuage citizens' anxiety as voting proceeded quietly, the Guardian reports.

Polls suggest a sweeping victory for opposition parties if the election is even moderately fair. Leaders of both opposition parties yesterday charged that the government had already rolled out preparations to rig balloting. Nearly 81 million people are registered to vote. Several hundred foreigners, including a team of US senators, and thousands of Pakistanis are monitoring the vote but are not allowed to do exit polls.

Pakistani women clad in traditional burqa, or veil, cast their votes in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf, America's key ally in the war on terror....
Pakistani women clad in traditional burqa, or veil, cast their votes in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani voter, wearing campaign stickers for the political party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, registers to cast his ballot at a polling station in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in an election shadowed by fears of violence and questions about...
A Pakistani voter, wearing campaign stickers for the political party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, registers to cast his ballot at a polling station in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18,...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves to the media as he arrives at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf, America's key...
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves to the media as he arrives at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani man fills in his ballot paper at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf, America's key ally in the war...
A Pakistani man fills in his ballot paper at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani elderly man waits his turn to cast his vote at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf, America's key ally...
A Pakistani elderly man waits his turn to cast his vote at a voting station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2007. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of...   (Associated Press)
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Pakistani voters: The government is a 'failure'
Los Angeles Times

Portraits of voters across Pakistan
BBC

 
Joe Biden • Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • John Kerry • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Lahore • Pakistan elections • election fraud

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