Islamabad: Pakistan's Human Rights Commission warned on October 8 that the credibility of this week's elections risked being undermined by blatant state interference in the electoral process.

"The incidents reported to us are only the tip of the iceberg," Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) chairman Afrasiab Khattak said, as he released a report of charges of pre-poll rigging by several political parties.

The report cited harassment of Opposition candidates, intimidation of district officials to ensure pro-government candidates win, and constitutional amendments as examples of pre-election rigging.

"The blatant manner in which the electoral process is being vulgarised and the will of the people mocked is extremely worrying," he told a press conference at Islamabad.

"It is going to undermine the credibility of the elections."

The report said the unilateral changes brought by President Pervez Musharraf would "concentrate decision-making in the hands of an un-elected President."

General Musharraf, also the country's Army chief, seized power in a bloodless coup three years ago, declared himself President in 2001, and has extended his un-elected term until 2007.

The creation of a civilian-military National Security Council on which four military chiefs including Musharraf would sit had "raised apprehensions the military will continue to use this as a whip to keep the Parliament submissive".

Khattak also warned of "grave implications for the state and unimaginable hardship for the people".

Former HRCP chief Asma Jehangir said rigging was not new in Pakistani politics, but "the blatant form it has taken this time in the run up to the polls is virtually unprecedented".

"Military officers posted in various localities are in many cases said to be directing police and other officials to act in favour of chosen candidates," Jehangir said.

"The will of the people is being subverted in an institutionalised manner," charged veteran Human Rights activist and HRCP board member I A Rehman.