ON ELECTION'S EVE, SUICIDE BOMBINGS KILL 50, INJURE 100
At least 50 people were killed and 100 injured in two suicide car bombings Saturday in northwestern Pakistan. Most of the victims were killed in the first attack, in which a car packed with explosives plowed into the Parachinar headquarters of the Pakistan People's Party, formerly led by the slain Benazir Bhutto. Asked who could be behind the bombing, Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said those "who want to derail the election process."
NEWS SERVICES
AN ELECTION PRIMER
What's at stake: Voters will choose 272 members of the National Assembly, or lower house of parliament, for a five-year term.
Key issues: The election is widely seen as a full restoration of civilian government after eight years of military rule under Pervez Musharraf. The new parliament will have to confront issues such as growing Islamic militancy, a sluggish economy and whether to reinstate independent-minded judges dismissed by Musharraf in November.
Specifics: More than 60,000 polling stations will open at 9 CST tonight and close at 6 a.m. Monday. Early results are expected Monday afternoon.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
