Benazir Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, left, and her son, Bilawal Zardari

Naudero, Pakistan ? Benazir Bhutto’s 19-year-old son – a student with no political experience – was named symbolic leader of her party Sunday, while her husband took effective control, extending Pakistan’s most enduring political dynasty.

The major parties appeared to agree that the elections should take place as scheduled on Jan. 8 despite street violence and political turmoil triggered by the assassination of Bhutto. The Election Commission is to discuss the timing of the polls today.

A successful vote would bolster U.S.-backed plans to restore democracy to the nuclear-armed country as it battles rising Islamic extremism.

Rioting subsided Sunday after destruction that left at least 44 dead and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage, but bitterness remained over the government’s response to the gun and suicide attack that killed Bhutto.

The appointment of Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, was not without its own complications. A former Cabinet minister who spent eight years in prison on corruption accusations, he is known as “Mr. 10 Percent” for allegedly taking kickbacks and is viewed with suspicion by many Pakistanis.

At a news conference on Sunday, Zardari said the opposition party – Pakistan’s largest – had no confidence in the government’s ability to bring the killers to justice and urged the United Nations to establish a committee like the one investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The decisions on the future of Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party were made at a closed-door meeting in the sprawling family estate where the two-time former prime minister grew up.

The eldest of Bhutto’s three children, Bilawal Zardari, accepted the party’s leadership, but said he would remain at Oxford University.

He said his father, who was officially designated co-chairman, would be the effective party leader.

“The party’s long struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigor,” Bilawal told a news conference that was repeatedly interrupted by emotional chants from Bhutto’s supporters. “My mother always said democracy is the best revenge.”