Pakistanis Await Poll Returns

Polls have closed in Pakistani elections long-delayed by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, as fears of violence kept voter turnout down to an estimated 15%, Reuters reports. Heavy security, with more than 470,000 police and soldiers deployed at polls nationwide, did little to assuage citizens' anxiety as voting proceeded quietly, the Guardian reports.

Polls suggest a sweeping victory for opposition parties if the election is even moderately fair. Leaders of both opposition parties yesterday charged that the government had already rolled out preparations to rig balloting. Nearly 81 million people are registered to vote. Several hundred foreigners, including a team of US senators, and thousands of Pakistanis are monitoring the vote but are not allowed to do exit polls. (More Pakistan elections stories.)