Musharraf sweeps polls, but SC to decide if he can be President

The election by federal and provincial lawmakers was a one-sided affair, with opposition parties abstaining or boycotting the vote.

They claimed it was undemocratic and unconstitutional for the general, who seized power in a 1999 coup, to contest while still army chief.

In total, Musharraf won 671 votes, his main rival, retired judge Wajihuddin Ahmad, received eight, and six ballots were invalid, election officials said. In all, 1,170 lawmakers were eligible to vote.

Musharraf thanked supporters for his “great victory” and appealed for national reconciliation at what he said was the start of a shift to civilian rule in Pakistan.

He dismissed criticism that the boycott had undermined the legitimacy of the election.

“Democracy means majority whether there is opposition or no opposition,” Musharraf, dressed casually in a gray jacket, told reporters on the lawn of his official residence. “A majority, a vast majority have voted for me and therefore that result is the result.”

The ruling party celebrated with fireworks and said it looked forward to parliamentary elections due by January, but their enthusiasm was not shared by a public cynical of Pakistan’s elitist politics and the military’s long domination of the country.

“We have a saying that ‘He who owns the stick, owns the buffalo,’” said Ijaz Shah, a grocer relaxing on the lawns in front of the federal Parliament. “If the government really had support, there would have been thousands of people here to cheer it.”

Musharraf has seen his popularity plummet since a failed bid to oust the country’s top judge in March and is struggling to contain a surge in Islamic militancy. He has promised to give up hisl army post if he wins the election.

The SC ruled on Friday that the official results can only be declared after it rules on complaints lodged by Musharraf’s opponents on his eligibility. Hearings on those petitions will resume on October 17.