Opposition boycotts Pakistan presidential vote

Pakistan's main opposition party announced Friday it would boycott next week's election for a ceremonial head of state to protest against the manner in which the vote was brought forward. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the ballot would be held on July 30 instead of August 6 after the main ruling party complained that the original date clashed with the end of Ramadan. Many lawmakers tasked with electing a successor to President Asif Ali Zardari will be on pilgrimage or offering special prayers at the tail end of the holy fasting month, the court said. Twenty-four candidates applied to contest the vote, although the election of Mamnoon Hussain, the candidate for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party is considered a foregone conclusion. "We have been left with no alternative, but to boycott the election," said Senator Raza Rabbani, the presidential candidate for the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP). "The Supreme Court did not issue us any notices, nor did they hear us or provide us an opportunity to present our point of view... a unilateral decision was made," Rabbani said. "We see it is part of moves to impose the centre's rule again." Pakistan's new president will be elected by members of the upper and lower houses of parliament and of four regional assemblies. Rabbani said that the Supreme Court decision made it difficult for him and other opposition candidates to campaign in four provincial capitals and the federal capital Islamabad in just two days. Rabbani is a highly respected senator and one of the few PPP politicians who could have commanded cross-party support in the vote, although the PML-N is expected to vote as one for Hussain.