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Pakistan is set to choose Musharraf's replacement

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Sept. 5, IRNA
Pakistan-Presidential Elections
Pakistan is set to choose replacement for former President Pervez Musharraf in presidential election on Saturday.

Musharraf, who ruled for nine years, resigned on July 18 to avoid impeachment in the parliament.

Three main candidates are: Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, former Chief Justice Supreme Court Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, fielded by Muslim League-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed of pro-Musharraf's Muslim League-Q.

Polling will be held in the joint session of parliament -- Senate and National Assembly and four provincial assemblies.

There are a total of 1170 senators, members of national assembly and four provincial assemblies, who will cast vote in the presidential elections.

Senate, the Upper House of the Parliament has 100 members, the National Assembly, Lower House, has 342 members, Punjab assembly 371, Sindh Assembly 168, North West Frontier Province 124 and Balochistan assembly 65.

In pre-poll survey by Gallup Pakistan released on Friday says public opinion findings on the Presidential Elections reflect a growing sense of alienation between the public at large, the society and the political system and political parties.

When asked as to which of the nominees of the major political parties would they like to have as their next President, none of the three was able to get popular acclaim, with the single largest response saying they wanted a non-party President.

Thirty four percent (34%) gave that response when asked which party nominee they wanted to see as President and even a higher number at 44% gave the same response when presented with a list of candidates.

Ironically the Constitution of Pakistan is closer to the position of the ordinary man on the street.

The office of the President is that of the Head of the State and is supposed to be above party politics, exercising little executive power.

The chief executive authority and associated 'politics' is supposed to rest with the Prime Minister.

A deeper analysis of survey findings shows the continuation of a pattern of attitudes among Pakistani public unexpected but consistent support for upholding rule of law and the Constitution of the country.

In nominating a much respected former Chief Justice of Supreme Court, PML-N tried to reflect that public view.

But survey findings show that their nominee was still seen as politicizing the office.

He is seen largely with the same sentiment as the two partisan politicians nominated by the other two major parties, including Asif Ali Zardari and Mushahid Hussain.

Give a choice between party nominees and a list of hypothetical non-party persons, popular sentiment favors a non-party President.

With Election so close, this is not a real possibility.

Nor is the President elected by popular vote in Pakistan.

Its constituency is limited to less than 2000 members of the Parliament, most of who are subject to their party decision which may or may not be reflective of popular sentiments.

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