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Next steps for Afghan election

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-10 09:42

If, as expected, the Afghan election commission soon announces that a final count shows President Hamid Karzai won a majority of the vote, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission will begin its investigations of fraud.

The commission took its first step in that direction on Tuesday, ordering a recount at polling stations where it had found "clear and convincing evidence" of fraud.

The latest incomplete vote totals released show Karzai winning about 54 percent.

Full Coverage: Afghan Presidential Election Related readings:                Afghan recount ordered; Karzai nears outright win  200,000 ballots tossed for fraud in Afghan vote  Charity says US troops stormed Afghan hospital  US-German rift emerges over Afghan deaths case Karzai edges closer to 50% in Afghan vote

Afghanistan's electoral law gives the UN-backed complaints commission broad authorities. It can nullify any votes it deems fraudulent, order a re-count of votes or order a new vote entirely. The commission is made up of one American, one Canadian and one Dutch national a all appointed by the UN a and two Afghans appointed by an Afghan human rights organization and the country's Supreme Court.

If the UN commission voids huge blocks of votes in southern areas dominated by Karzai's ethnic Pashtun group, that could drop the incumbent's total below 50 percent and force a run-off with Abdullah, a contest which Karzai would be favored to win.

AP