Musharraf to be re-elected by same assemblies: aide

The aide, who was not named, has justified Musharraf8217;s re-election by the same assemblies on the ground that his term would be completed on November 12, 2007 whereas the term of the National and Provincial Assemblies that elected him in 2002 would end on November 16, 2007. He did not explain how the term of assemblies that elected Musharraf ended before his.

8220;This is why we have to elect the President for the next five-year term before the expiry of the term of the Assembly, as the presidential election has to be conducted in accordance with the Constitution,8221; he said .

While there could be moral and political objections, there is no provision in any law, statute or the Constitution, which bars the same assemblies to elect a President for a second term, he said.

8220;I admit that Musharraf became the President in 2002 under extraordinary circumstances or by holding a democratic referendum and passage of a resolution, but the next election will be held in accordance with the law and the Constitution,8221; the aide said.

8220;The presidential election has to be held before November 12 in view of the Constitutional provision,8221; he said adding that a 8220;firm decision8221; was taken some time back that the present assemblies the Senate, the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies will form the electoral college.

If re-elected, Musharraf would become the first President to get elected twice by the same assemblies, he said.