| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| Perv and Opposition Quibble on Poll Turnout |
| 2002-04-30 |
| Pakistan's government and opposition squabbled about the turnout as counting began on Tuesday after a referendum to extend President Pervez Musharraf's rule. Musharraf is expected to win easily — partly because his strong stance against corruption has won him widespread support, partly because the opposition has called for a boycott — but the turnout is seen as a barometer of just how popular he is. If the Bad Guys thought they could beat him, they'd have had their people turn out to vote "No." Instead, they're keeping their people home and probably have the thugs on the streets to keep people from showing up. The government described the turnout as "unprecedented," and said it would not be surprised if it topped 30 percent. The main opposition party put turnout at five percent, and said Musharraf had lost all legitimacy and should step down. And let them run things. Initial results are expected to start trickling in during the course of the night. Musharraf, voting just after midday, said he was "very confident" of a victory that would grant him five more years in power. It's his guys counting the votes, so he'd damned well better win. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |