Musharraf cannot campaign: CEC

Asked whether Musharraf can get re-elected as president by the present national and provincial assemblies, which elected him for the same post in 2002, he said 8216;8216;it is not appropriate to comment on this issue since the CEC is the returning officer in the presidential election.8217;8217;

When asked whether exiled leaders like former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif could be registered to vote, he said any family member could get them registered in the rolls during enumeration. To a question whether Bhutto and Sharif, who have been barred in the past from contesting polls, could take part in the election, he said the returning officers and eventually the Supreme Court would take up the matter whenever individuals or political parties raise the issue.

The CEC also said that a caretaker government would be formed before the polls. The caretaker prime minister and caretaker chief ministers would not be eligible to take part in the election. At the time of elections there would be a caretaker government at the Centre and four provinces. 8216;8216;So there is no possibility of any involvement by the state machinery,8217;8217; he said.