JURIST - Paper Chase: Pakistan high court allows Musharraf re-election bid

[JURIST] The Supreme Court of Pakistan [official website] dismissed legal challenges [JURIST report] Friday to a bid by current Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf [BBC profile] to run for another term as president while still serving as chief of the Pakistani army. The challengers had also opposed Musharraf's bid to avoid a general election by seeking re-election from the outgoing parliament and provincial assemblies. Recent rule changes [press release] by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) [official website] pave the way for Musharraf to remain as army chief while he campaigns for office. The court said it will explain its reasoning at a later date. Earlier this month, Musharraf announced plans to step down as army chief [JURIST report] if he is re-elected in the October 6 election, but has indicated that he intends to remain as army chief if he loses the election.

Pakistani police sealed off the capital of Islamabad [JURIST report] on Thursday to prevent protesters from rallying against Musharraf's bid for re-election. Also Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the release of over 200 opposition party workers who have been detained [JURIST report] by the government since last week. AP has more.

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