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Musharraf party 'lagging in poll' Musharraf party 'lagging in poll'
(20 minutes later)
Opposition parties in Pakistan have strong leads in elections, a spokesman for a party close to President Pervez Musharraf has conceded.Opposition parties in Pakistan have strong leads in elections, a spokesman for a party close to President Pervez Musharraf has conceded.
The PML-Q party would be consigned to the opposition if early results were confirmed, said spokesman Tariq Azeem.The PML-Q party would be consigned to the opposition if early results were confirmed, said spokesman Tariq Azeem.
Supporters of opposition parties including Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and the PPP of the late Benazir Bhutto have been celebrating in the streets.Supporters of opposition parties including Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and the PPP of the late Benazir Bhutto have been celebrating in the streets.
Mr Musharraf insists he will accept the result, regardless of who wins.Mr Musharraf insists he will accept the result, regardless of who wins.
He is not standing in the parliamentary election himself, but a clear defeat of his supporters could herald struggles over his presidency, analysts suggest.He is not standing in the parliamentary election himself, but a clear defeat of his supporters could herald struggles over his presidency, analysts suggest.
The poll took place on Monday, having been delayed following Ms Bhutto's assassination on 27 December.The poll took place on Monday, having been delayed following Ms Bhutto's assassination on 27 December.
High-profile victimsHigh-profile victims
Early results showed a "big gain" for Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto's parties, Mr Azeem told the AFP news agency.Early results showed a "big gain" for Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto's parties, Mr Azeem told the AFP news agency.
Whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself President Musharraf High stakes for MusharrafWhosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself President Musharraf High stakes for Musharraf
"If the results are confirmed we will play the part of the opposition as effectively as we can," he said."If the results are confirmed we will play the part of the opposition as effectively as we can," he said.
Most official counts will not be declared until later on Tuesday, and correspondents caution that it is still to early to be sure of the overall trends.Most official counts will not be declared until later on Tuesday, and correspondents caution that it is still to early to be sure of the overall trends.
But high-profile victims of the poll were reported to include party president Chaudry Shujaat Hussain and his close ally, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid.But high-profile victims of the poll were reported to include party president Chaudry Shujaat Hussain and his close ally, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid.
They were among the PML-Q losses in Punjab, the country's most populous province and a key electoral battleground.They were among the PML-Q losses in Punjab, the country's most populous province and a key electoral battleground.
"The result will be the voice of the nation and whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself," said Mr Musharraf."The result will be the voice of the nation and whosoever wins we should accept it - that includes myself," said Mr Musharraf.
TurnoutTurnout
Celebrations were continuing in the streets of cities including Lahore, Rapalwindi and Karachi as news of early results trickled out.Celebrations were continuing in the streets of cities including Lahore, Rapalwindi and Karachi as news of early results trickled out.
At least 20 people are reported to have died in election-day violence, with the PPP reporting 15 of its members killed.At least 20 people are reported to have died in election-day violence, with the PPP reporting 15 of its members killed.
Most counts will be completed by Tuesday morning href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7244610.stm">Pakistanis describe the day class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7250020.stm">Reporters' logIn pictures: Ballot count Most counts will be completed by Tuesday morning href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7252014.stm">Pakistanis react to poll trends class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7250020.stm">Reporters' logIn pictures: Ballot count
There were also reports of missing ballot boxes.There were also reports of missing ballot boxes.
But there was also widespread relief that there were none of the major bomb attacks which had marred the run-up to the election.But there was also widespread relief that there were none of the major bomb attacks which had marred the run-up to the election.
Fears of violence had dissuaded many of the country's 80 million eligible voters from leaving their homes, and voter turnout was estimated to be less than 40%. Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, had been deployed to quell any outbreak of fighting.Fears of violence had dissuaded many of the country's 80 million eligible voters from leaving their homes, and voter turnout was estimated to be less than 40%. Close to half a million security personnel, including about 80,000 soldiers, had been deployed to quell any outbreak of fighting.
The wait for news of the next government is the start of fresh uncertainty in Pakistan, says the BBC's Jill McGivering in Karachi.The wait for news of the next government is the start of fresh uncertainty in Pakistan, says the BBC's Jill McGivering in Karachi.
Even once the election results are clear, there will still be plenty of behind-the-scenes bargaining to come, she says.Even once the election results are clear, there will still be plenty of behind-the-scenes bargaining to come, she says.
Future in the balanceFuture in the balance
Polls suggest a fair vote is likely to result in a hung parliament, with none of the three biggest parties winning a majority, analysts suggest.Polls suggest a fair vote is likely to result in a hung parliament, with none of the three biggest parties winning a majority, analysts suggest.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, PakistanSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThe difficulty is in foreseeing what changes will come.Briscott, PakistanSend us your comments
Attention will then turn on the PPP, and whether it chooses to join forces with pro-Musharraf parties, or with Mr Sharif's party.Attention will then turn on the PPP, and whether it chooses to join forces with pro-Musharraf parties, or with Mr Sharif's party.
Mr Sharif is staunchly opposed to the president, and if the two opposition parties jointly gain two-thirds of the seats, they may try to impeach Mr Musharraf, correspondents say.Mr Sharif is staunchly opposed to the president, and if the two opposition parties jointly gain two-thirds of the seats, they may try to impeach Mr Musharraf, correspondents say.
Mr Musharraf stepped down as army chief late last year. He has ruled the country since seizing power in a coup in 1999.Mr Musharraf stepped down as army chief late last year. He has ruled the country since seizing power in a coup in 1999.