Pakistan votes for PM - but Musharraf will retain control

General Pervez Musharraf was wearing civvies when he cast his vote yesterday in Pakistan's first general election since 1997.

Appearing out of uniform underscored the President's avowed aim to return Pakistan to civilian democratic rule. Yet the army leader looks bound to remain the country's main authority no matter what contorted ruling coalition this election might yield.

General Musharraf promised to cede executive duties to a new prime minister around 1 November. Yet he retains the power to dissolve parliament and to sack the prime minister whenever he sees fit. A National Security Council, with military officers on its board, will ensure the armed forces have a permanent role in governing.

In the crowded lanes near Rawalpindi's railway station, voters did not need to queue and turn-out appeared patchy. More than 60 political parties had comandeered most of the public transport.

The Pakistan People's Party has been hampered by new rules that prevent the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto from standing for office because of her conviction in absentia for corruption.

Another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, withdrew his name from the ballot in solidarity with Ms Bhutto, his most formidable political rival. Deposed three years ago by General Musharraf's coup, Mr Sharif accepted a decade's exile in Saudi Arabia in exchange for release from jail. His powerful Muslim League has been splintered into eight groups.

Analysts predicted that the two traditional political powerhouses would run a tight race against the new Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) which backs General Musharraf, resulting in a hung parliament.

Some 300 foreign observers were on hand to investigate claims by human rights workers that the election was being manipulated. The government insisted the polls would be "transparent and fair."

Across Pakistan, security was tight for fear of violence, mainly by religious extremists opposed to General Musharraf's support for America's bombardment of neighbouring Afghanistan.

Law enforcement authorities also arrested three suspected Indian intelligence agents accused of plotting to blow up polling stations.

A new alliance of six parties from the religious right, the United Council for Action, was expected to win up to 40 seats in the North-West Frontier province, which borders Afghanistan.