Pakistan votes under military shadow

Pakistan's military fanned out across the country ahead of today's election, deploying hundreds of thousands of troops to oversee polling stations in a short but acrimonious contest that analysts say is still "up for grabs".

Armed soldiers watched closely as election officials in the capital Islamabad yesterday distributed ballot boxes and voting materials for polling stations across the city.

The military has stationed over 370,000 personnel nationwide to ensure the vote goes smoothly -- the largest such deployment in Pakistan's history on an election day. It has said the soldiers will work with local law enforcement to ensure "a safe and secure environment" for voting.

An additional 450,000 police were also assigned to provide security, according to election officials.

Pakistan's Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza yesterday assured voters that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was "trying its best to hold free, fair and unbiased elections".

In a video message released by the election body, Raza urged voters to fulfill their "duty towards the nation" by casting their votes responsibly on polling day, reported Dawn.

But the mammoth deployment coupled with a recent decision by election authorities to grant military officers broad powers inside polling centres has stirred fears of possible manipulation.

The military presence is just the latest controversy in a bitter campaign season that has seen accusations of "pre-poll rigging", the expansion of hardline religious parties, and a string of bloody militant attacks that have killed more than 180 people, including three candidates.

Despite the controversies and bloodshed, political parties continued to crisscross the country in the final days before the polls, holding dozens of rallies in key battleground areas.

The contest has largely been distilled to a two-party fight between jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, and cricket legend Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

"Our predictions are very murky right now," Bilal Gilani, executive director of Gallup Pakistan, told AFP, adding that a huge chunk of voters remain undecided.

"It's still up for grabs."

Recent nationwide polls indicate a tight race, with Khan's party ahead on 30 percent in one survey, compared to 27 percent for PML-N. Sharif's party tops another poll with 26 percent compared to 25 percent for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

To gain a majority, a party needs 137 of the 272 elected National Assembly seats. A further 70 seats for women and minorities are awarded proportionally based on the voting percentages.

At a distribution centre in Lahore, election workers complained of general discord and delays in the delivery of ballot boxes.

"I have been performing election duty for the past 22 years and I have never seen such a disorganised election my whole life," said one worker who asked to remain anonymous, adding that the troops overseeing the process had done little to help.

A day before the polls, voters were largely split in Lahore, the capital of Punjab -- Pakistan's most populous province and long a PML-N stronghold that is being fiercely challenged by Khan's PTI.

"I am supporting Imran Khan because he is the best choice for Pakistan. We should give him a chance," said Muhammad Wasim, 32, pointing to what he described as the success Khan's party has had in governing northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Others cited the improvements in infrastructure under the PML-N in the sprawling city in the east of the country, vowing to stick by the party hit by several corruption convictions ahead of the election.

"They have served the masses, they have put an end to... (power cuts) and given us better facilities including roads, transport and education," said shopkeeper Muhammad Nawaz, 45.

Political parties held their final rallies Monday night -- before campaigning was suspended -- in a last-ditch attempt to energise voters.

"I am giving this task to all of you: wake up early on the 25th and cast your vote," Khan told thousands of PTI faithful in Lahore.

In southern Punjab, PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif -- the former premier's brother -- said victory was "certain".

"Despite all the odds, PML-N is winning the July 25 polls," he was quoted as saying by Pakistani media.

The PML-N has accused the powerful military, the country's most powerful institution, of manipulating candidates and the media ahead of the vote in a bid to push out the party and install a pliant government, with Khan seen as the likely beneficiary.

Activists and think tanks have also widely decried a "silent coup" by Pakistan's generals.

It is unlikely that any of the main three parties will win a majority.

Imran Khan, whom both PML-N and PPP say are favoured by military, is wary of governing with the established parties.

"If we have to make a coalition with either of the two main parties, then it means we can't bring about any major reforms," said Khan, who as captain led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

The military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half of its 71-year history, denies any effort to influence the election.

The divisive campaign is likely to complicate any coalition negotiations after the vote, if they are necessary.

Whoever wins the election, analysts predict, will be weak enough to have his strings handled from Army HQ.

Results are expected in the early hours of Thursday.