(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-18 19:51

Sadic, a supporter for the PML-Q, said he expected the party could maintain stability for Pakistan with continued policies while two women who voted for the PML-N said they expected Sharif to bring down prices.

Rocketing prices for food and other necessity goods, together with the shortage of electricity, have caused headaches for many Pakistanis.

Observers here had predicted that sympathy for Bhutto might be able to garner large number of votes for the PPP, a party which has expressed willingness of forming an alliance with the other major opposition party the PML-N.

As the government has declared the election day a public holiday, streets here are empty and shops all closed. The PPP has said to urge party workers to besiege polling stations to ensure fair results, but no such operation was seen in Rawalpindi till noon time.

About four policemen were present at each station here and the government had said troops would be deployed at polling stations in the more volatile regions such as the northwestern areas near the border with Afghanistan.

Voting is to end at 5:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) Monday and results are expected to come out in a progressive way after that.

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