Bhutto widower is elected Pakistan’s president

After ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party switched to the opposition last month, Zardari quickly won support from smaller parties, suggesting he could give the country some stability as it faces economic challenges that include soaring inflation, power shortages and widening trade and budget deficits.

Saturday's voting bore that out.

A tally by The Associated Press of the results showed Zardari with 488 of the 685 votes, based on a formula that gave each of the four provincial assemblies equal representation and left most of the say with federal lawmakers.

Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, a former judge nominated by Sharif's party, was second with 153. Mushahid Hussain, a senator from the pro-Musharraf party routed in February parliamentary elections, was last with 44.

The Election Commission was expected to certify the results later Saturday so Zardari can be sworn in Sunday.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman called it a historic day with a tidal wave of support for both democracy and the People's Party.

"We have seen the legacy of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto come alive once again in the voice of the people through the four provinces, the Senate and the National Assembly of Pakistan," Rehman said. "The candle of democracy lit by her with her martyrdom is still kindling."

Zardari, the son of a landowning businessman and tribal chief from the southern province of Sindh, wed Bhutto in an arranged marriage in 1987. Many Pakistanis call him "Mr. 10 Percent," a reference to accusations he pocketed commissions on government contracts during her two terms as prime minister.

After Bhutto was killed, Zardari returned to Pakistan from exile, seized the reins of her party and led it to victory in the February elections.

Zardari's party and that of Sharif — historical rivals — formed a coalition which quickly crumbled once they forced out Musharraf with the threat of impeachment.

Sharif has pledged to be constructive in opposition, but continues to call for the reinstatement of Supreme Court judges purged by Musharraf.

Three of the judges were sworn back into the court Friday, but Zardari has blocked the return of ousted Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, who had questioned a corruption amnesty granted by Musharraf that quashed long-standing cases against Zardari.

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