Musharraf commits to early January elections

November 11, 2007 · Filed Under World News

Raising the prospect of crucial parliamentary elections being held under de facto martial law, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said the balloting would take place in early January but set no date for lifting an 8-day-old emergency decree.

Sunday’s news conference, marked Musharraf’s first appearance before national and international media since he issued an emergency decree on Nov. 3, suspending the constitution and revoking citizens’ basic freedoms.

During his 90-minute news conference, the Pakistani leader was alternately conciliatory and combative, defending his decision to impose authoritarian measures as a personal sacrifice for the good of the country.

“It was indeed a bitter pill to swallow; it was no doubt the most difficult decision I have ever taken in my life,” said Musharraf, who was clad in a dark blue suit and tie, eschewing his military uniform. “I could have preserved myself, but it would have damaged the nation.”

Musharraf said he had instructed election officials to move as quickly as possible to set a date for the vote, following the dissolution of parliament and regional assemblies in the coming week. Elections are to take place within 60 days of that step, with a caretaker government in place in the meantime.