Pakistan presidency vote starts
 Asif Zardari - one of Pakistan's most controversial politicians |
Voting has started in Pakistan to elect a successor to Pervez Musharraf, who resigned as president last month rather than risk impeachment.
The winner is expected to be Asif Ali Zardari, the controversial widower of the late Benazir Bhutto.
Voting is by the national assembly and four provincial assemblies.
The next president will have to tackle an Islamist insurgency and an economic crisis which are threatening the country's stability.
Controversy
Mr Zardari was thrust into the centre of political power by the assassination of Ms Bhutto last December after which he became head of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
 | WHO VOTES FOR PRESIDENT? Total votes: 702 National Assembly 342 votes Senate 100 votes Four provincial assemblies 65 votes each Winner needs simple majority of votes  |
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that Mr Zardari is regarded by many as the de facto prime minister and he is now almost certain to become president.
Our correspondent says that in recent months Mr Zardari has shown skill by forging a large coalition and using it to peacefully unseat the former military ruler, President Musharraf.
Mr Zardari is one of Pakistan's most controversial politicians.
For years he has been hounded by allegations of massive corruption. Although he has never been convicted, he has never shaken off his reputation. Recently doubts have been raised about his mental health.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took his PML-N party out of the governing coalition last week, accusing Mr Zardari of breaking key promises.
Many in Pakistan fear the country is facing a return to an old-style politics of confrontation at a time when urgent action is needed to improve the economy and deal with a raging Islamist insurgency.
Juggling demands
Mr Zardari is seen as pro-West and supportive of Washington's self-declared war on terror.
 Nawaz Sharif's coalition with Mr Zaradari did not last long |
If he becomes president, he will have to juggle the demands of the United States, Pakistan's powerful army, and the strong anti-American sentiment in the country.
Our correspondent says that Mr Musharraf tried to do that and failed. Pakistanis hope that Asif Zardari will have more success, but they see little in his past to encourage them.
The other candidates are Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, a former judge who has the backing of Mr Sharif, and Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who was nominated by the PML-Q party that supported Mr Musharraf.
There is only one round of voting and whoever has most of the 702 votes wins.
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