(BBC) Pakistan's main opposition alliance has announced a parliamentary boycott in protest at President Pervez Musharraf's plans to run again for office.
The alliance said its members would resign from parliament and the four provincial assemblies on 2 October.
It made the announcement on the day Gen Musharraf registered for the ballot. The Supreme Court is to decide if he can run for president while army chief.
Earlier, the court ordered dozens of opposition members to be freed.
We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament
Gen Musharraf will stand down as army chief if he is elected for another presidential term, but, if not, he will keep his military post, his lawyers have said.
Pakistan's president is not elected by the people, but by a ballot of federal and provincial assemblies.
Earlier this week the United States called on Gen Musharraf to ensure the elections were free and fair.
He is a key ally in America's 'war on terror' but observers say Washington is worried about his declining popularity and the increasing problems of militancy in the country.