ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson said on Monday the military government was doing everything in its power to rig the general polls, but claimed that there was still a chance for the PPP to win.

Speaking to Reuters by telephone from London, she said the ISI had been coercing the PPP candidates to either switch sides or stand down in the elections.

She alleged that plans had been put in place to stuff ballot boxes in selected polling stations to prevent the PPP from becoming the biggest party in the elections.

Ms Bhutto said she would expect to win between 40 to 42 per cent of the 342 seats in a fair vote, but said the ISI had already decided the PPP should win just 65 to 100 seats and planned to manipulate the elections in the favour of compliant parties.

“What they are planning to do is to send two ballot boxes. One will be empty, which the presiding officer will show everyone and sign it in front of them,” she claimed. “But they will also be signing another box which has been pre-filled, and these two boxes will be switched at some point.”

Ms Bhutto said she had written to the CEC, asking him to make sure the boxes were signed by all polling agents, rather than just by the returning officers.

About her return, she said she would love to come back, but that could only happen if a powerful civilian government emerged after the polls which could challenge the military’s hold over the judiciary.

“What could be better for me than to return to a red carpet treatment from the prime minister? That would really be hitting the jackpot,” she said. “But realistically speaking we will have to see who controls the courts.”