
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has decided to get re-elected in uniform for yet another five-year term by the present National and four Provincial Assemblies in September-October 2007 before these are dissolved to pave the way for general elections.
8220;We are left with no option but to fix a date for the presidential election between September 13 to October 12,8221; a confidant of the President was quoted as saying by The News daily on Friday.
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.