Feb 18 polls ‘mother of all elections’, says Musharraf

Musharraf also took a pot-shot at political parties saying they lacked internal democracy and made it clear that he would continue to exercise “checks and balances” in the democratic order that would be formed after the February 18 general election.

“There is a mother of all battles in Iraq, and this will be the mother of all elections from Pakistan’s point of view.

They (polls) are very, very critical,” he said in an address to the National Library in Islamabad.

He said “I am extremely conscious of the fact that these (polls) have to be free, fair and transparent and they have to be seen to be free, fair and transparent and also peaceful.

The entire world is watching us. National prestige, peace and harmony and our future are at stake.”

Asserting that the polls to the national and four provincial assemblies will be conducted in a peaceful manner under security cover provided by the army, Musharraf said: “In this environment of terrorism and extremism, any agitation, anarchy, chaos will not be tolerated.”

“Let this serve as a warning to all those who think that they can disturb the peace of the country. They will not be allowed (to do so).

Do not test the resolve of the government,” he said, adding there would be “zero tolerance” if the peace is disturbed during and after the polls.

The major problem among political parties, he said, is that they were not “throwing up leadership through the democratic process”.

Musharraf alleged that some leaders were already “making dossiers about rigging” to use in protests if they lose the polls.

“The government will not allow anyone to come out on the streets to protest about rigging after losing in the polls.

Whoever wins will form the government,” he said.

Musharraf also took a swipe at foreign organisations that have conducted surveys which showed a sharp fall in his popularity.

The latest poll by BBC said 64 per cent of Pakistanis believed the country would become stable if Musharraf resigned.

“Surveys and polls by foreign organisations have some value in developing countries like Pakistan but they are not final,” he said.

Such surveys were not representative as they focussed on small groups in urban areas and were conducted by bodies that were always criticising the government and the President, he said.

“Do not incite trouble in Pakistan by pre-judging election results. Let the results speak for themselves. This country is critical for the region and this region is critical for the world,” Musharraf said.

“Those who are conducting all these surveys -- don’t disturb the peace of this country, don’t disturb the peace of the region. You are playing with the peace of the world.”

Musharraf said the government formed after the polls would have to focus on defeating terrorism and maintaining economic growth.