The 2002 Election
Background
President Farooq Leghari resigned from office of presidency on December 2, 1997 because of confrontation. On December 31, 1997, the presidential elections held in Pakistan in which PML-N nominated Rafiq Tarar elected as president securing 374 votes against Aftab Shaban Merani, who secured total 58 votes. As stated above, the government developed confrontation with the Supreme Court, the military and the Presidency. PM Nawaz Sharif made the Chief Justice of Pakistan (Sajjad Ali Shah), one Army Chief (Jahangir Karamat) and one President (Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari) to quit their offices. He also attempted though unsuccessful, to increase his administrative powers for implementation of Islam under the proposed 15 constitutional amendment.
However, on October 12, 1999, the then PM, Mian Nawaz Sharif tried to remove General Pervez Musharraf from the office of CoAS, while he was on his return flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka and installed his favourite, Lt General Khwaja Ziauudin as the Army Chief. General Pervez Musharraf deposed the elected government of Mian Nawaz Sharif in military takeover in the country. General addressed the nation and accused PM about hatching conspiracy against CoAS and military institution in famous „plane conspiracy‟ case. He then announced his seven point agenda for his government, which included accountability, the de-politicization of the state institutions, and devolution of power to grassroots level. Pervez Musharraf assumed the office of Chief Executive for himself and suspended the 1973 Constitution. Additionally, the Provincial Governments and Assemblies were also removed. The Supreme Court certified the assumption of power by General Pervez Musharraf in May 2000 and gave him three years to hold fresh election.
On June 20, 2001, General Pervez Musharraf promulgated the President‟s Succession Order 2001, deposed President Rafiq Tarar, and took oath as new president of Pakistan. However, he validated his presidency through allegedly rigged referendum held on April 30, 2002. Meanwhile, according to Musharraf‟s seven point agenda, local government elections were held in four phases between January and August 2001 and power was transferred to local bodies. President Pervez Musharraf also restored powers of president i.e. article 58(2)(b),appointment of governors, CoAS, and chief election commissioner through Legal Framework Order 2002.
Therefore, elections in 2002 were held when 1973 constitu