Musharraf urges reconciliation as Pakistanis vote

Islamabad: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called for reconciliation after casting his vote in general elections on Monday.

Speaking after voting at a polling station set up in a school in the city of Rawalpindi, Musharraf said, "We must come out of this confrontationalist approach and get into a conciliatory mode. I myself will remain committed to a politics of reconciliation with everyone."

He added, "Whichever political party wins, whoever becomes prime minister ... I congratulate them and I will fully cooperate with them as president."

Musharraf's popularity plunged over the past year because of his manoeuvres to hold on to power, which included purging the judiciary, and six weeks of emergency rule.

Polls opened on Monday and results are expected to start emerging by midnight. Trends should become clear on Tuesday morning.

The legislative elections were originally scheduled for January 8 but the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto after a rally on December 27 forced a delay.