Pakistani Opposition Claims Win

Leading Musharraf party members lose in early returns
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 18, 2008 7:55 PM CST
Pakistani Opposition Claims Win
Supporters from Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party celebrate the primary unofficial results for Pakistan's general elections in the street of Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions...   (Associated Press)

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was trounced in a national election today as opposition leaders declared victory against militant rule and the Bush administration, the New York Times reports. An unofficial tally projected victory and 110 seats for the Pakistan People's Party, and 100 seats for Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party. Musharraf's party is projected to win 20 or 30 seats in the 272-seat national assembly.

While opposition supporters partied in the streets, Musharraf's allies also claimed victory, the BBC reports. Most official numbers will not be declared until tomorrow. About 10 people died and some 70 were wounded in clashes across Pakistan, and one candidate was shot in Lahore last night. But Pakistan's election commission called the ballot free and fair. (More Pakistan stories.)

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