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Musharraf hints at securing second term as President

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Says the existing Electoral College would re-elect him

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf has claimed that the existing national and provincial assemblies would re-elect him for a second term before the end of their term in November 2007.

In an interview to a local television channel late on Wednesday Gen. Musharraf has asserted that legally and technically the existing national and provincial assemblies, which constitute the Electoral College to the office of President, are entitled to re-elect him for the second term.

Earlier this week a former Law Minister and close aide Pakistan President, S.M. Zafar had said that Gen. Musharraf could resign as President and seek another term from the current Assemblies.

"There is no ambiguity in constitution in this context. But people debating over the issue of President's election through existing assemblies are unaware of the constitution," Gen. Musharraf said in his interview with AVT Khyber.

Assertions of Gen. Musharraf days after the "charter of democracy" pact between the two former Prime Ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif is a clear sign that Pakistan is likely to witness interesting political developments in the coming weeks and months.

Political analysts view the observations made by Gen. Musharraf that the existing Electoral College for the office of President is entitled to re-elect him was an indication of his concern over the coming together of Mrs. Bhutto and Mr. Sharif.

Ms. Bhutto has said that she will return to Pakistan before November 2007.

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