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Musharraf can't debar Benazir, Sharif: Pak CEC

Chief of Pakistan Election Commission on Tuesday said that President Pervez Musharraf cannot stop former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif from contesting this year's general election saying it was the Commission's prerogative to decide such issues.

Only the Election Commission is empowered to decide who can stand for the October election, Irshad Hassan Khan, who was recently appointed after retiring as Chief Justice of Supreme Court, told reporters in Islamabad.

Musharraf, during visit to Japan recently, had said Bhutto and Sharif would not be permitted to contest the polls.

"The short answer is no," he had said.

"The president can express his views on the subject, but the decision to allow Bhutto and Sharif to contest rests with the Commission," Khan said

He added that the election would be free and transparent.

Khan, who was criticised for being part of the Supreme Court bench that conferred legitimacy on the October 1999 military coup and swearing-in of Musharraf as president later, said that the government has not conveyed any information to the Commission about holding a referendum to enable Musharraf to get elected.

Musharraf's Press Secretary Major General Rashid Qureshi said on Tuesday that the president has not yet decided on a referendum.

Denying that the President developed 'cold feet' over referendum, Qureshi said that Musharraf consulted some of the political leaders in this regard.

"No decision has been made or taken about the referendum," he said.

Asked about Musharraf's stand not to permit Bhutto and Sharif to contest the polls, he said that the president was of the view that no person who was convicted or facing charges should be allowed to contest.

"All people who have been either convicted or charged with offence must come and answer to the courts. The courts are to decide and the Election Commission has to decide," he said.

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