Handicap the Pakistani parliamentary election (1/8/08)

Pervez Musharraf has lifted the state of emergency (discussed in this thread) and declared the parliamentary election will go ahead as scheduled on January 8, 2008. However, press censorship remains in place, the judges who opposed Musharraf remain under house arrest, and there is widespread doubt as to whether a free and fair election can be conducted under these circumstances. Who will win? Who will boycott? How will the results be perceived?

According to this report, only 4% of the people intend to vote for Islamist parties. Which leaves a lot of space for other forces, pro- and anti-Musharraf.

Update: Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated. At least 20 of her supporters were killed in the blast. Pakistanis are rioting in the streets.

I think about 25% of the candidates will survive.

I’ll bet the under.

If there is an election at all, now.

Bhutto said Musharraf failed to protect her: e-mail

Money quote:

Make of that what you will.


US Presidential candidates reactions coming up on Larry King.