( Gulfnews ) Pakistan's federal and provincial lawmakers will elect a president on October 6, the Election Commission announced yesterday, setting the stage for the re-election of General Pervez Musharraf in uniform for a new term as head of the state.
The announcement, which came ahead of a verdict by the Supreme Court hearing legal challenges to Musharraf's dual role as president and army chief and his candidacy, triggered cries of foul play by the opposition while the government stoutly defended it.
Prospective candidates should file nomination papers by September 27, according to the schedule unveiled by Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq , a retired Supreme Court judge.
After the October 1 deadline for withdrawal of candidature, a final list of candidates would be made public and the polling would be held on October 6, the announcement said.