Musharraf's government declares victory while critics cry foul

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Allegations of widespread fraud followed a referendum that extended the rule of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf by five more years.

In a challenge that could hurt the key U.S. ally's bid to strengthen authority, critics who questioned the credibility of the voting pounced on the final figures published Wednesday -- showing 97.7 percent backed the military ruler and putting the turnout at over 50 percent.

Musharraf, the country's top general, seized power in a coup in 1999 and risked national outrage by siding with the United States in the Afghan war.

He had hoped Tuesday's referendum would give him an undisputed mandate to concentrate on attracting foreign investment, improving the domestic economy and curbing lawlessness, including keeping radical Islamic elements in check.

But Asma Jehangir, representative of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, accused referendum organizers loyal to the military government of tolerating widespread cheating, including permitting people to vote several times. Others, she said, were coerced into voting.

Voting videotaped

Jehangir said 10 teams from her organization visited about 150 polling stations throughout the country and videotaped evidence of people voting several times, casting ballots without producing identification and not getting stamped with the indelible ink that was supposed to prevent voting more than once.

Among those she said were "coerced" into voting were prisoners, civil servants and employees of businesses close to the government.