LAHORE, May 26: Elections in the ruling PML are likely to be completed by Aug 12, but no fundamental change is expected in the party’s current structure at the central and provincial levels and most of the office-bearers may get re-elected.

All parties are legally bound to conduct internal elections to qualify for general elections.

Party sources believe that Chaudhry Shujaat Husain will be elected for another three-year term because of his vast following and also because he enjoys the backing of President Pervez Musharraf.

Gen Musharraf, it may be mentioned, said recently that Chaudhry Shujaat would lead the party for another term.

Secretary-General Syed Mushahid Husain is also among the leaders strongly supported by the president.

Chief Ministers Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Jam Muhammad Yousaf and Dr Arbab Rahim are also expected to stay on as party presidents in their provinces.

Amir Muqam, recently elevated to the position of a full federal minister, is also close to Gen Musharraf. Apparently, he will continue to hold the party office, although the possibility of other senior leaders jumping into the fray cannot be ruled out.

Other party office-bearers in the provinces may face a tough time though, and party insiders are of the opinion that secretaries-general and information secretaries may be changed.

The most important change that the electoral process will bring about is the reduction in the number of senior vice-presidents, vice-presidents and joint secretaries.

When various factions of the Pakistan Muslim League and the National Alliance, led by Sardar Farooq Leghari, had merged into what is now the ruling PML, many senior leaders had been nominated as senior vice-presidents or vice-presidents. But the situation changed after the party adopted a new constitution, reducing the number of SVPs, VPs and joint secretaries.