Pakistan poll panel rejects ex-prez Musharraf’s nomination

Former President Pervez Musharraf's attempt to re-enter Pakistan politics through the democratic route seem to have been stymied at the start, as the country's election commission today rejected his nomination papers for the coming general elections.

Former military dictator Gen Musharraf returned to his country on 24 March after four years in self-imposed exile in London and Dubai. He has sought to contest the elections from four seats - Karachi, Islamabad, Chitral and Kasur.

The Returning Officer in Kasur's NA-139 constituency has rejected Musharraf's nomination papers after rival candidate Javed Kasuri raised six objections against his candidature.

Kasuri said Musharraf was disqualified to contest elections under the relevant article of the Constitution, as he is facing several cases mainly related to corruption.

The returning officer, Mohammad Saleem, accepted the objections and rejected the nomination papers.

On Thursday, Musharraf demanded that the polls be held under the army's supervision. The chief of the recently formed All Pakistan Muslim League said that otherwise there would be law-and-order issues, and the polls would not be transparent and fair.