ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Election Commission changed the rules yesterday to open the way for President Musharraf to seek a new five-year presidential term without giving up the powerful position of army chief. Opposition parties decried the move as a brazen violation of the constitution and accused the American-allied leader of trying to bulldoze legal obstacles to his staying in power amid increasing demands for an end to military rule. They predicted a surge in democracy protests.

The ruling was likely to end up before the Supreme Court, which has proved an impediment to General Musharraf this year and which many people hope can find a way to guide Pakistan out of a political crisis that some fear could lead to violent demonstrations and martial law. General Musharraf seized power in 1999 after a decade of chaotic civilian rule and pledged to eradicate Islamic extremism and bring “real” democracy to Pakistan. But he has yet to say publicly when he will give up his parallel post as army chief, the main source of his authority.

The five-member Election Commission, whose chairman was appointed by General Musharraf, said it changed a rule for the presidential vote by legislators, due by October 15, so a constitutional article barring government employees — such as army officers — from running no longer applies.

“The chief election commissioner of Pakistan has made the requisite amendment, with the approval of the president,” the panel said in a statement.

The move appeared to signal General Musharraf’s determination to extend his rule and dimmed the promise of already-stalled negotiations between General Musharraf and the moderate party of an exiled former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, on a potential power-sharing deal.

It could also deepen divisions within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q party as General Musharraf struggles to calm an intensified democracy campaign as well as respond to the resurgence of Taliban and Al Qaeda militants entrenched in the region along with border with Afghanistan.

In the latest violence, the army said it had lost touch with 16 soldiers at an outpost near the Afghan border hours after they reported killing 14 militants in a battle early yesterday.

General Musharraf’s popularity has plummeted since March when he tried to fire the Supreme Court’s independent-minded chief justice, sparking widespread pro-democracy demonstrations led by the country’s lawyers.