KARACHI, 5 April — Pakistan’s voting population may rise by at least 10 million if the government decides to lower the voting age from the present 21 years to 18 years for the presidential referendum due next month, sources here said.

The administration is also considering allowing the setting up of a system of mobile booths while making it obligatory on every adult to participate in the nationwide exercise. They are to announce details of the plan soon.

Experts, however, say that in a country where state apparatus suffers from inherent weaknesses, experiments are often difficult to be carried out. In another proposal, people could be asked to vote at the places of work. Ballot boxes could also be provided at banks, market places, shops etc., but mobilizing manpower for such a large-scale operation will be a real problem.

— The government had lowered the voting age to 18 years in the municipal elections it held in year 2000, and it may do that again to ensure maximum participation of people in a referendum which the government would like to succeed. Some media reports here have suggested harsher punishments for inciting people to rebellion.

Meanwhile, the nation appeared torn yesterday on whether to keep military ruler Pervez Musharraf in power through a referendum, balancing a deep desire for stability with fears it would end hopes of real democracy.

"I do agree with some of the policies of Gen. Musharraf because he has taken some measures which even the political governments could not take," said Samina Imtiaz, who works for a human rights group in Islamabad,

All major political parties and Pakistan’s independent Human Rights Commission have denounced the referendum, expected to be held in early May, as unconstitutional.

But for some businessmen, who suffered through a decade of political and economic strife under elected governments before Musharraf staged a bloodless coup in October 1999, allowing Musharraf to continue his reforms was a bigger issue. "This referendum should be held because Pakistan needs Musharraf for the continuation of economic reforms and strengthening the economic foundations laid by the present government," said Anwarul Haque, head of Pakistan’s main trade body in the southern port city of Karachi.

"The country has suffered enough at the hands of politicians who have plundered Pakistan," he said. "With Musharraf there as president, he will keep necessary checks and balances after forthcoming general elections."

"Yes, I will put the stamp on the Yes column," he added. The strong image of honesty Musharraf has projected as he steadied a failing economy, made the leap from backing Afghanistan’s Taleban to taking a lead role in the US-led war on terror and cracked down on Islamic extremists, has helped him.

"He looks to be a more sincere man than the previous rulers and that’s why I support this referendum and will vote for him," said Asim Ali, a salesman at a photographic shop in Islamabad.

"Musharraf has proved himself to be able administrator, not only internally but on the international front as well through his pragmatic policies," said Iqbal Mirza, a Karachi journalist. "This is the first government in over 50 years which does not carry any stains on its back. Nobody could point his finger toward Musharraf, accusing him of corruption," he said.

"This referendum should be held for the continuation of a clean administration," Mirza added. Karachi stockbroker Shuja Rizvi said he supported Musharraf’s economic policies, and continuity was important for investor confidence. "I don’t know if I will be going to vote or not, but I will support the referendum," he said.

Islamabad clerk Muhammad Zahid said he wouldn’t vote because there was no improvement in the lot of ordinary people since Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in October 1999. "Prices are rising, government employees are feeling insecure because of the down-sizing drive, youth are becoming increasingly jobless," he said.

But for others, a desire that Pakistan move toward genuine democracy outweighed any other consideration. "I think it will only enhance political chaos in the country and will also weaken the democratic institutions," said Muhammad Ali Siddique, a Karachi doctor.