Pakistan to elect its 12th president Tuesday

Pakistan will Tuesday elect the country's 12th president as incumbent Asif Ali Zardari completes his five-year term in September.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has fielded senior party leader Mamnoon Hussain, while former cricketer Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, has nominated former judge Wajhiuddin Ahmad, Xinhua reported.

This will be a one-on-one contest as the major opposition Pakistan Peoples Party has boycotted the elections.

Voting will be held through secret ballot and will begin simultaneously at the Parliament House and the four provincial assemblies at 10 a.m. and continue till 3 p.m. Tuesday. Members of parliament and state assemblies constitute the electoral college for tne president's election.

Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim has asked all MPs to ensure secrecy while casting votes.

An Election Commission spokesman said the legislators will not be allowed to carry mobile phones or any other electronic gadget during the voting process.