PAKISTAN: Staging a referendum to cement his position as Pakistani President was the easy part for military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, who is now facing the tougher prospect of a hostile parliament after October elections.
Even before the official result of yesterday's poll is announced, the general is looking ahead to the parliamentary elections, when he has vowed to restore democracy after his 1999 military coup.
How Gen Musharraf manipulates the constitution and Pakistan's malleable politicians in the months ahead will be the true test of his frequently expressed desire for "genuine democracy".
The presidential referendum, in which voters were asked to say whether they wanted Gen Musharraf to stay as president for a further five years, was an illuminating dress rehearsal for the October elections.
Gen Musharraf used all the resources of the state to ensure a Yes vote, including the media and the police.
Government employees were obliged to vote.
Opposition politicians now fear the same techniques will be used to ensure a docile parliament emerges from the general elections, one which will allow Gen Musharraf and other generals on the National Security Council to dominate the civilian cabinet.
In the back of his mind, they say, Gen Musharraf is well aware that his military takeover on October 12th, 1999, was an act of treason under the 1973 constitution, and he could be held to account by politicians if they gain the upper hand in parliament.
"What we fear now is that . . . Gen Musharraf will now more than ever seek to rig the October general elections to perpetuate himself in power," said Pakistan People's Party (PPP) spokesman Mr Farhatullah Babar.
The inevitable arguments over the turnout at yesterday's referendum have already started, with the government claiming a "big" response and the opposition saying only 6 per cent of the electorate participated, delivering a humiliating blow to Gen Musharraf's credibility.
But without former prime ministers Mr Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted in the coup, and Ms Benazir Bhutto, the main political parties appear powerless to launch any serious challenge to Gen Musharraf.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader Mr Sharif and PPP chairwoman Ms Bhutto both live in exile due to corruption allegations, and Gen Musharraf has said they will not be allowed return to public life in Pakistan.