By Owais Tohid In Rato Dero, Sindh province

Hundreds of supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto gathered in the remote village of Rato Dero (near Larkana in Sindh province), reacted angrily as a poll official rejected her bid to contest the 10 October elections in Pakistan.

Ms Bhutto's supporters were carrying tri-colour party flags and portraits of their leaders.

They had travelled some distance on donkey carts, bicycles and in vehicle convoys to be in time for the ruling on Friday.

Musharraf can stop her from contesting elections but he cannot stop us from voting in favour of Bhutto's candidates."

Jan Mohammad, Bhutto supporter

Returning officer Akhlaq Hussain Ladak announced the verdict disqualifying her around mid-day (local time).

"She is convicted by an accountability court so she stands disqualified from contesting elections under constitutional provision and accountability law. Therefore, the nomination papers of Benazir Bhutto have been rejected," he said.

His words were immediately greeted with a noisy uproar of slogans denouncing the government of President Pervez Musharraf Government.

"Down with Musharraf, down with Musharraf," "Prime Minister Benazir, Prime Minister Benazir."

Protests

Ms Bhutto's lawyer, Ayaz Soomro, reacted angrily, saying the decision reflected government pressure.

"It speaks for double standards set by the government. Nawaz Sharif's papers get accepted... Mr Sharif was convicted and sentenced for life. Benazir has been sentenced only for not appearing before the court. But different rules of the game have been set for both. It is the law of jungle," he said.

Bhutto lives in exile in London

According to Mr Soomro: "It has become crystal clear that the Musharraf Government does not want to hold free, fair and impartial elections. But we will continue our legal and political battle."

By this time, the emotionally charged activists were threatening to take to the streets.

"Nobody can keep Bhutto away from politics. We will sacrifice our lives but we will not let anybody snatch away her rights," said 30-year-old Shahid Abro.

Hopes

Ms Bhutto's party leaders and her lawyers say they will challenge the decision in elections tribunal and higher courts.

Ms Bhutto has filed three nomination papers to contest the elections.

The other two applications will be decided on 1 September.

But her lawyers suspect those too will be rejected on similar grounds.

Her party leaders are pinning hopes on a constitutional petition before the Sindh High Court in which Ms Bhutto has challenged the laws barring her from contesting elections.

That case is due to come up for hearing on 11 September - and could mark another moment of drama in Benazir's attempts to get back into Pakistani politics.