Musharraf cruises to victory

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has received overwhelming support in a controversial nationwide referendum to remain as leader for another five years, officials say.

The election commission said Musharraf received well over 90 percent of the votes in Tuesday's poll, asking voters to approve or reject the extension of his presidency.

Few doubted that the military ruler would win the referendum.

The government says that a higher-than-expected turnout gave the vote legitimacy, adding that they expect the turnout to top 30 percent, a relatively high figure for Pakistan where many voters tend to stay away from polls.

"It is a massive victory for the people of Pakistan," said Information Minister Nisar Memon in an Associated Press report.

"They were not affected by the negative propaganda of the opposition. The opposition has been summarily rejected, and now they should accept the verdict of the people."

The controversial referendum has united several religious parties and opposition political parties who have called for a general boycott.

Critics of the Pakistani leader argued that the referendum was illegal under the constitution, which states the president should be elected by the bicameral parliament and the four provincial assemblies.

'Free and fair'

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Mike Chinoy reports that low voter turnout may taint the Pakistan president's overwhelming victory in a referendum that keeps him in power for five more years. Play video   GALLERY Pakistanis take to the polling booths    ANALYSIS Endorsing Musharraf's ambition    RESOURCES A referendum for the president  • PROFILE: President Musharraf     CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

Musharraf took to the airwaves on the eve of the referendum pledging a "free, fair and transparent" vote.

The 15-minute national address, his shortest since grabbing power in an October 1999 bloodless coup, also included promises to restore democracy.

He said: "I assure religious scholars and spiritual leaders that democracy will established in Pakistan on the basis of Islam's progressive values."

Musharraf suspended the Pakistani constitution at the time of the coup.

But Musharraf received a boost when the Supreme Court ruled that the referendum on extending his term of office was legal.

Other critics say he is too accommodating towards Washington, particularly in his support to the United States during the ongoing Afghanistan military campaign.

Analysts say the mainstream body of opinion supports Musharraf, but say what remains to be seen is how large his popular mandate will be.

"The majority of the people, they think it's an asset. His relationship with the U.S. is very good and that will be helpful," political observer Lt. General Talat Masood said.

"The U.S. has confidence in him, he has credibility with the Western world and he is liberal in his thinking. He understands the damage that extremism and religious fanaticism has done to this country."

"But there are of course certain people, an important segment, which think he has compromised too much."

Democracy vow

Musharraf has vowed a return to democracy for Pakistan and says he will not stay in power if it is against the wishes of the people.

"If the people don't want me, I will go tomorrow, there is no question," he has said.

The statement followed a question asking whether he would follow the example of previous military leaders and cling to power despite a lack of popular support.

Musharraf said he had not broken any promises he made when he took over as leader, ousting then prime minister Nawaz Sharif amid accusations of corruption and misrule.

He was given three years by the Supreme Court to curb corruption, introduce reforms and return the country to democracy. The court deadline ends this October, but Musharraf says his task is not yet finished.

For his part, Musharraf has held several rallies to bolster support, although the opposition has only been allowed to stage one rally prior to the referendum.