Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the country's presidential election be held a week earlier than planned.
The election commission had scheduled the vote for August 6, but the July 24 ruling moves it up to July 30.
The decision came a day after the governing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party petitioned the court for an earlier vote because the previous date coincides with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Provincial and national parliaments select Pakistan's president.
Incumbent Asif Ali Zardari is not seeking a second term because his Pakistan Peoples Party lacks enough lawmakers to win him reelection.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's candidate, Mamnoon Hussain, is regarded as the front-runner.
His party has more lawmakers than any other.
Zardari was elected in 2008, succeeding former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
The election commission had scheduled the vote for August 6, but the July 24 ruling moves it up to July 30.
The decision came a day after the governing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party petitioned the court for an earlier vote because the previous date coincides with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Provincial and national parliaments select Pakistan's president.
Incumbent Asif Ali Zardari is not seeking a second term because his Pakistan Peoples Party lacks enough lawmakers to win him reelection.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's candidate, Mamnoon Hussain, is regarded as the front-runner.
His party has more lawmakers than any other.
Zardari was elected in 2008, succeeding former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
