Election to next five-year President of Pakistan will be held on
October 6, the Election Commission said on Thursday.
Nomination papers for presidential candidates will be received
on September 27, the commission said.
General Pervez Musharraf's term as president expires on November
15 and he is seeking another five-year term through a presidential
election by current assemblies, whose tenure will expire on October
15.
President Musharraf will doff uniform after getting re-elected
and before taking oath as next five-year president, his lawyer
Sharifuddin Pirzada Tuesday told the Supreme Court, which is
hearing petitions of challenging Musharraf's dual roles as both
state head and army chief.
Tuesday's statement suggests Musharraf will contest the
presidential election in uniform, which has sparked protests from
opposition groups.
The opposition alliance All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM),
challenging eligibility of Musharraf as a presidential candidate,
earlier warned their lawmakers will quit assemblies if Musharraf
stands to contest presidential election.
However, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) in Musharraf's
support said PML (Q) and its allies would have enough votes for
successful re-election of Musharraf as president.
(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2007)
