Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf today dismissed widespread concern about electoral irregularities in the referendum that extended his presidency by five years.
The general who seized power in a 1999 coup told a small group of foreign journalists that isolated cases of multiple voting or manipulation could not be avoided and should not be used to discredit his overwhelming victory.
According to the official figures, Musharraf secured 97.5 per cent of 43.9 million votes cast in Tuesday's poll, but the referendum was mired in allegations of fraud and vote-rigging.
"When 45 or 46 million people have voted there are incidents that take place, with pluses and minuses," he said, adding that the government succeeded in holding a referendum that was "fair, open and impartial".
"I'm proud of the fact that people had so much faith in me and voted for me." He said he now had the mandate of the people and the supreme court to change the constitution ahead of parliamentary elections in October, when he would hand over power to the elected prime minister.
"He (the prime minister) will run Pakistan and I will relax and play tennis and golf," he said, warning however that he would make sure the new civilian leader acted responsibly and in the national interest.
Asked whether he would hold another referendum in five years to extend his presidency, Musharraf said "all options are open" but he would quit as soon as the people no longer wanted him to stay.
"What is my exit strategy? The moment that I see the people do not want me I will just quit," he said.
AFP