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Pakistan sets presidential election for Oct. 6 amid protests

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ISLAMABAD, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - Pakistan's election commission announced Thursday that a presidential election will be held October 6 despite threats by opposition parties to boycott the vote if the current president runs for re-election.

General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, earlier said he would resign as army chief and become a civilian president if re-elected. Under the current Constitution, a president is elected by members of a two-house national parliament and provincial legislative assemblies.

Leaders of the ruling Muslim League of Pakistan party, which holds a parliamentary majority, said they had enough votes to ensure Musharraf's victory.

Musharraf, 64, has recently been under strong criticism from opposition groups for stamping down on democracy in the country.

The presidential election will be followed by parliamentary elections later this year, which could lead to a fierce political struggle between military authorities and the democratic opposition. The military has seen a sharp drop in popularity in past years and experts believe the opposition has a fair chance of winning a parliamentary majority.

Two exiled former prime ministers - Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto - have already expressed their intention to run for seats in the new parliament.

Bhutto, who leads Pakistan People's party, said she wanted to return home October 18 after eight years of self-imposed exile.

Sharif attempted to return to Pakistan last week, but was quickly deported to Saudi Arabia.

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