ISLAMABAD, April 7: The referendum to elect Gen Pervez Musharraf as president for five years is likely to be held on April 30.

Official sources told Dawn that a formal announcement in this respect is expected to be made by the Chief Election Commissioner next week after a meeting of the election commission.

When approached, the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Irshad Hasan Khan, did not deny that referendum would be held on April 30. “I do not rule out the possibility of holding it on April 30,” he said. However, he added, the referendum would “definitely” not be held on May 5 as being speculated.

The election commission has convened its meeting next week to finalize arrangements for referendum.