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Corruption fears over Afghan poll Corruption fears over Afghan poll
(about 5 hours later)
Afghanistan's presidential election has been beset by fraud and corruption, a BBC investigation suggests.Afghanistan's presidential election has been beset by fraud and corruption, a BBC investigation suggests.
Voting cards are being sold openly and candidates have been offering thousands of dollars in bribes for votes.Voting cards are being sold openly and candidates have been offering thousands of dollars in bribes for votes.
The findings came as campaigning closed before Thursday's election, in which incumbent President Hamid Karzai faces more than 30 challengers. The findings came as campaigning closed before Thursday's election, in which incumbent President Hamid Karzai faces 41 challengers.
Meanwhile a suspected car bomb exploded in eastern Kabul hours after a rocket attack on targets in the centre. A senior Afghan Independent Election Commission official denied to the BBC that voting cards were being sold.
The suspected car bomb attack took place on a busy road The allegations came as militants launched a flurry of deadly attacks across Afghanistan on Tuesday, in the wake of their threats to disrupt the election.
Officials said at least five people were killed in the bomb blast and dozens more were reported injured.
A UN spokesman told the Associated Press news agency that three Afghans working for the UN were among the wounded.
Earlier, one rocket caused some damage inside the presidential palace compound and a second hit the city's police headquarters, but no-one was hurt.
Militants had threatened to disrupt the election, and have already targeted the capital twice this month.
Multiple voting cardsMultiple voting cards
An Afghan working for the BBC went undercover in Kabul to investigate reports that voting cards were being sold and was offered 1,000 cards, each costing around £6 ($10).An Afghan working for the BBC went undercover in Kabul to investigate reports that voting cards were being sold and was offered 1,000 cards, each costing around £6 ($10).
The suspected car bomb attack took place on a busy road
Other vendors made similar offers.Other vendors made similar offers.
The return of ex-warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum has alarmed the US
It is impossible to know how many voting cards have been sold in such a manner, says the BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul, but there have been a number of arrests.It is impossible to know how many voting cards have been sold in such a manner, says the BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul, but there have been a number of arrests.
Multiple voting cards are reported to have been issued to some individuals, while government workers have actively and illegally campaigned for candidates, says our correspondent.Multiple voting cards are reported to have been issued to some individuals, while government workers have actively and illegally campaigned for candidates, says our correspondent.
An influential tribal leader in the north of the country said he had been offered thousands of dollars by campaign teams in exchange for delivering large blocks of votes.An influential tribal leader in the north of the country said he had been offered thousands of dollars by campaign teams in exchange for delivering large blocks of votes.
Separately, an independent monitoring group said it had shown evidence of corruption to election officials but they had not acted on the information. The return of ex-warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum has alarmed the US
Separately, an independent monitoring group said it had shown evidence of corruption to election officials, but they had not acted on the information.
However, a senior Afghan Independent Election Commission official, Daud-Ali Najafi, dismissed claims of voting fraud.
He said: "We totally reject the allegations that cards are being bought. Even if one is bought it can't be used. The person who owns the card must vote him or herself."
Western officials have conceded that the election will be flawed but say a flawed election is still better than no vote at all.Western officials have conceded that the election will be flawed but say a flawed election is still better than no vote at all.
Afghan elections: Main candidates In pictures: Campaigning closesAfghan elections: Main candidates In pictures: Campaigning closes
Mr Karzai, who is seen as the frontrunner, and his two main rivals held their last rallies of the campaign on Monday.Mr Karzai, who is seen as the frontrunner, and his two main rivals held their last rallies of the campaign on Monday.
The current president was forced to defend his links with notorious warlord, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum, during a TV debate.The current president was forced to defend his links with notorious warlord, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum, during a TV debate.
The election is taking place amid an upsurge in violence - with a survey by the BBC's Afghan service suggesting the government has little or no control of 30% of the country.The election is taking place amid an upsurge in violence - with a survey by the BBC's Afghan service suggesting the government has little or no control of 30% of the country.
A spokesman for Mr Karzai said the government did not agree with the findings, saying there were security problems in just a few districts.A spokesman for Mr Karzai said the government did not agree with the findings, saying there were security problems in just a few districts.
Are you in Afghanistan? Are you worried about security at the forthcoming elections? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Afghanistan? Are you worried about security at the forthcoming elections? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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