World | Pakistan
Opposition parties ahead in Pakistan election
The PML-Q party loyal to President Pervez Musharraf fares badly in early counting in Pakistan election
- Agencies
- Published: 08:58 February 19, 2008
- Supporters of the PML-N and PPP parties celebrated on the streets
- Image Credit: AP
Islamabad: The party loyal to President Pervez Musharraf has fared so badly in Pakistan's general election that it may be ousted from power, according to a spokesman.
Opposition parties have taken large leads in the poll, with many predictions consigning the PML-Q party into third place at the moment.
It the result is verified it could lead to political problems for the president in the future, although he has said that he will accept the result of the election.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif's PML-N have both made “big gains'' according to the PML-Q spokesman.
Unofficial Election Commission tallies show the PML-N, leading in Punjab province where half the members of parliament will be elected.
No party is expected to win a majority in the 342-seat
National Assembly but whoever finishes with the most seats from the vote will be in a strong position to lead a coalition government.
While results are not due to be announced until later on Tuesday, the poll has already taken its toll on the pro-Musharraf PML-Q.
Party president Chaudry Shujaat Hussain and Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid are reported to have lost their seats in the Punjab region.
At least 20 people are reported to have died in election-day violence, with the PPP reporting 15 of its members killed.
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