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Opposition Will Boycott Musharraf Election

Vow to resign from parliament next week

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 28, 2007 2:34 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Pakistani opposition leaders vow to vacate their legislative seats to protest President Pervez Musharraf's bid for re-election next week, the BBC reports. Members of the influential MMA religious alliance say they will resign from parliament and four provincial assemblies, which decide who will be the next president.

The resignations aren't enough to pose a threat to Musharraf's re-election, but could further erode the credibility of the deeply unpopular president. The Supreme Court, which is about to rule on whether Musharraf can can run for president while remaining army chief, earlier yesterday ordered the release of opposition activists rounded up and detained in a sweep last week.

Supporters of Pakistan's ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif participate in a rally against Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged lawmakers to back Musharraf's bid for re-election, claiming it would strengthen Pakistan's democracy, a government statement said Saturday....
Supporters of Pakistan's ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif participate in a rally against Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prime Minister...   (Associated Press)
A supporter of Pakistan's ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shouts slogans at a rally against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged lawmakers to back Musharraf's bid for re-election, claiming it would strengthen Pakistan's democracy, a government statement said...
A supporter of Pakistan's ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shouts slogans at a rally against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat...   (Associated Press)
An undated handout photo from Pakistan's Press Information Department shows Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf as he addresses a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden called on Pakistanis to rebel against Musharraf in a new audiotape released on Thursday Sept. 20 2007 , saying his military's siege...
An undated handout photo from Pakistan's Press Information Department shows Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf as he addresses a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin...   (Associated Press)
Benazir Bhutto, chairperson of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and former prime minister of Pakistan, speaks on The Future of Pakistan at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London in this July 20, 2007 file photo. Time is running out for President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to finalize a...
Benazir Bhutto, chairperson of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and former prime minister of Pakistan, speaks on "The Future of Pakistan" at the International Institute for Strategic Studies...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani lawyers chant anti-Musharraf slogans while holding a placard, front, that reads, Army dictator unacceptable, in Multan, Pakistan on Thursday, Sept 27, 2007. Pakistan's chief justice ordered the immediate release of detained opposition members Thursday as President Gen. Pervez Musharraf formalized his disputed candidacy for a new five-year term. (AP...
Pakistani lawyers chant anti-Musharraf slogans while holding a placard, front, that reads, "Army dictator unacceptable," in Multan, Pakistan on Thursday, Sept 27, 2007. Pakistan's chief justice ordered...   (Associated Press)
In this picture released by the Press Information Department, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, second from right, and his ally Shujaat Hussain, right, talks with the Election Commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq, left, after they submitted Pakistan's military ruler Gen. President Pervez Musharraf's nomination for the upcoming presidential elections, Thursday, Sept....
In this picture released by the Press Information Department, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, second from right, and his ally Shujaat Hussain, right, talks with the Election Commissioner Qazi...   (Associated Press)
Police in plain clothes arrest a protester who shouts anti-Musharraf slogans in Lahore, Pakistan on Thursday, Sept 27, 2007. Pakistan's military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf formalized his candidacy for a new five-year term Thursday as security forces sealed off the Pakistani capital to prevent planned protests by angry attorneys....
Police in plain clothes arrest a protester who shouts anti-Musharraf slogans in Lahore, Pakistan on Thursday, Sept 27, 2007. Pakistan's military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf formalized his candidacy...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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A closer look at Musharraf's main rival for the presidency
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Guardian (UK)

Musharraf says he'll run, but Supreme Court will have last word
New York Times

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Pakistan Supreme Court • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • boycott • opposition alliance • Pakistan elections

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