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As Pakistan approaches its once postponed national elections on February 18th, most observers are focused on the prospects for the government and opposition parties, and whether the election contests will be free and fair. The fallout from the assassination of Benazir Bhutto continues to shape the political discourse as do the tensions from mounting popular economic grievances. There is uncertainty whether the elections will bring normalization to Pakistan’s volatile political scene or usher in a period of instability. There are fears that the results will be contested, leading to street violence and possibly another imposition of emergency rule.