ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: Opposition members are expected to protest against alleged rigging of the local government elections during the National Assembly session beginning on Monday, adding to the political tension in the country.

The ruling coalition is expected to come out strongly to boast about the performance of its loyalists.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal will have a chance to lead the attack while top leaders of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy will be meeting in Lahore on Monday to formulate their stance in the new situation.

It is not certain whether Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain will allow a debate on the vote.

Parliamentary sources said opposition members would use points of order to accuse the coalition of using state machinery from the president down to PML-led provincial governments to ensure majority for pro-government candidates.

MMA members are likely to attack the federal government for allegedly using its agencies and ministers to manipulate the elections even in the NWFP and Balochistan.

The ARD’s complaints will mainly be about alleged government moves to sideline the People’s Party Parliamentarians and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in Punjab and Sindh.

The treasury benches, while rejecting the opposition charges, are expected to take cue from the president’s description of the result as a victory of moderates over extremists.

Other issues likely to figure prominently include the Supreme Court ruling against the competence of holders of sanads from seminaries to contest local elections like matriculates, the Hasba Bill, the crackdown against alleged religious extremists and new ordinances requiring seminaries to be registered.

The assembly has been in session for 74 days during its third parliamentary year and must complete at least 130 days by Nov 16.