Ms. Messinger did not discuss her political standing, though at several points she seemed close to describing the election as something of a closed book.

The King described the election, the first for 22 years, as the start of a new phase in Jordan's life.

International observers, however, described the election as free and fair.

In its report the 12-member Commonwealth group described the election as "palpably free and fair".

International and domestic observers described the parliamentary election as flawed.

They described the election as a farce and started a boycott of Parliament.

In general, however, Pakistanis and foreigners here have described the election as free and fair.

The Commonwealth of Nations team described the election as a 'shambles'.

He described the election as a "clarion call" to deal with a host of domestic problems too long ignored and to "bring our nation together."

Demirchyan described the election as having been rigged and called on his supporters to rally against the results.