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GUEST: Shahid Mahmood, former editorial cartoonist for Dawn, a national newspaper in Pakistan, now internationally syndicated with the New York Times Syndicate

Two suicide attacks in Pakistan, one on Saturday and one today, targeted political rallies in the lead up to parliamentary elections on February 19th. Violence has escalated since the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December. Investigators from Scotland Yard just concluded that Bhutto was killed as a result of a head injury from the force of a suicide bomb blast. Bhutto’s supporters and party members are adamant that she was killed by a bullet to the neck and blame incumbent dictator, Pervez Musharraf for her death. Pakistani officials arrested two more suspects in connection with her death. Meanwhile, the Army Chief of Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has announced that the army will have no role in the upcoming electoral process, except to maintain law and order. Kayani took over from Musharraf’s Army post two months ago and has begun to reverse some of his predecessor’s policies, including recalling military officers who were installed in many influential civilian posts. Still, because of the on-going suicide attacks, an atmosphere of fear pervades the election, with candidates nervous about appearing in public to campaign. Additionally, a new poll found that the majority of Pakistanis expect massive election rigging on February 19th.