Musharraf sets timetable for his re-election

The Pakistan President is under duress to hold free and fair parliamentary elections.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, under pressure to hold free and fair parliamentary elections, has set the timetable for his re-election for a second term - between September 15 and October 15 next year.

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Declaring that there was "no ambiguity" in the Constitution about the role of the existing parliament and provincial legislatures, Musharraf said they would re-elect him between September 15 and October 15 next year, one month before his term expires on November 15.

He clarified that "existing assemblies will elect president for a second term instead of new assemblies", the Daily Times newspaper said.

"There is no ambiguity in the Constitution in this regard and people debating the issue through existing assemblies are unaware of the constitution," Musharraf said in an interview with AVT Khyber, the Pushto language television network.

"I completely believe in the supremacy of parliament and stability of democratic institutions, and completion of legitimate five-year tenure by existing assemblies will be ample proof that I champion democracy," he said.