Islamabad: Opposition parties have accused the Pakistan government of wanting to delay elections so they can avoid defeat.

They also warned any moves to postpone the January 8 poll could lead to more violence across the country.

The Election Commission is likely to announce on Wednesday that it has decided to move the date of the vote back because of the murder of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

The new election date is likely to be in late February.

Babar Awan from Bhutto's PPP party said: "We reject this delay outright. Musharraf fears outright defeat. If this election process is jeopardized, they (our followers) may protest again and there is a chance of riots."


The party of Nawaz Sharif, the leader of another opposition party PML-N, accused Musharraf of wanting a delay to allow anger over Bhutto's death to evaporate.

"Right now they are the target of public hatred" said Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for the party.

However Tariq Azim, from the ruling party PML-Q, said the opposition was "turning a blind eye to realties on the ground" following the assassination.

The Election Commission has previously said some of its buildings have been damaged in rioting.