ECP considering postponing general elections

Islamabad, Dec 29 (UNI) With violence continuing uanabated in several cities of Pakistan in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, doubts are being raised on holding general elections as scheduled on January 8.

The Election Commission (EC) of Pakistan will convene an emergency meeting next Monday and there are chances of postponement of the process of general elections as volatile law and order situation prevented the EC from sending poll materials across the country, Geo TV reported.

The government had yesterday announced that the elections would be held according to schedule but the situation appears far from normal for undertaking the electoral exercise.

Former prime minister and chairperson of People's Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto was assassinated after addressing an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, some 30 kms south of Islamabad, on Thursday.

Eight Election Commission offices have have been burnt in Sindh province, where Bhutto's hometown Larkana is located, and all election materials have been destroyed.

Caretaker Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro said earlier the general elections would be held as per schedule.

UNI