Pakistan kicks off a phased program of elections to village councils on Sunday as part of the military government's plan to empower people at the grassroots level.
Army troops will be standing by during the first stage of the polls, being held in 18 out of the country's 112 districts, military officials said.
More votes will be cast in the New Year, as the country gears up for provincial elections. A general election has been promised before October 12, 2002 -- three years after General Pervez Musharraf toppled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a coup.
"I am confident that it is a revolutionary step and a revolutionary move," Musharraf said in an address to the nation last week.
Political parties have not been allowed to field candidates in the district level elections which will be completed by the middle of 2001.
"Army will be standing by in case any law and order situation is created," military spokesman Major-General Rashid Qureshi told AFP.
"Administration of each district has taken security measures and we will be on alert," Qureshi said.
Musharraf's devolution plan aims to create a new three-tier system to give local communities more say over their own affairs, particularly in financial, police and judicial spheres.
Women and minorities have each been assured a third of the seats in the village and district assemblies, perhaps the boldest move in a strongly patriarchal, Islamic society.
Analysts said it would be interesting to see how many women from villages come out from their homes to the polling stations to cast their votes -- KARACHI (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
