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Corruption fears over Afghan poll Corruption fears over Afghan poll
(about 2 hours later)
An investigation by the BBC has found evidence of fraud and corruption in Afghanistan's presidential election.An investigation by the BBC has found evidence of fraud and corruption in Afghanistan's presidential election.
Thousands of voting cards have been offered for sale and thousands of dollars offered in bribes to buy votes.Thousands of voting cards have been offered for sale and thousands of dollars offered in bribes to buy votes.
The findings come as campaigning closes ahead of Thursday's election in which incumbent President Hamid Karzai faces more than 30 challengers.The findings come as campaigning closes ahead of Thursday's election in which incumbent President Hamid Karzai faces more than 30 challengers.
Early on Tuesday, two rockets hit targets in central Kabul, without causing injuries, Reuters reports.Early on Tuesday, two rockets hit targets in central Kabul, without causing injuries, Reuters reports.
One rocket caused some damage inside the presidential palace compound, and a second hit the city's police headquarters.One rocket caused some damage inside the presidential palace compound, and a second hit the city's police headquarters.
Militants have said they will disrupt the elections, and have already targeted the capital twice this month.Militants have said they will disrupt the elections, and have already targeted the capital twice this month.
A Taliban spokesman quoted by Reuters claimed that four rockets had been fired in the latest attack.A Taliban spokesman quoted by Reuters claimed that four rockets had been fired in the latest attack.
Multiple voting cardsMultiple voting cards
An Afghan working for the BBC went undercover in the capital Kabul to investigate reports that voting cards were being sold. An Afghan working for the BBC went undercover in Kabul to investigate reports that voting cards were being sold.
He was offered 1,000 cards, each costing around £6 ($10). Other vendors made similar offers.He was offered 1,000 cards, each costing around £6 ($10). Other vendors made similar offers.
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 pounds 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 pounds by campaign teams in exchange for delivering large blocks of votes.
Final ralliesFinal rallies
An independent monitoring group said it had shown evidence of corruption to election officials but they had not acted on the information.An independent monitoring group said it had shown evidence of corruption to election officials but they had not acted on the information.
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Preparations in Afghanistan for Thursday's electionPreparations in Afghanistan for Thursday's election
But Western officials have said that while the election will be flawed, Afghanistan should not be held to the same standards as elsewhere and that a flawed election is still better than no vote at all. But Western officials have said that, while the election will be flawed, Afghanistan should not be held to the same standards as elsewhere and that a flawed election is still better than no vote at all.
Mr Karzai is facing over 30 challengers but is seen as the frontrunner in the race. Mr Karzai is seen as the frontrunner in the race.
On Monday, the notorious ex-warlord and key ally of Mr Karzai, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum flew in from Turkey to endorse the president at his final campaign rally. On Monday, a notorious ex-warlord and key ally of Mr Karzai, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum, flew in from Turkey to endorse the president at his final campaign rally.
"We need to go with Hamid Karzai into the future," Gen Dostum told cheering supporters in Shiberghan, his home city."We need to go with Hamid Karzai into the future," Gen Dostum told cheering supporters in Shiberghan, his home city.
The return of ex-warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum has alarmed the USThe return of ex-warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum has alarmed the US
Two of Mr Karzai's main rivals, who formerly served under him as ministers, also held their own final rallies on Monday. Two of Mr Karzai's main rivals, who formerly served under him as ministers, also held their final rallies on Monday.
In the capital Kabul, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, addressed a crowd of 10,000 supporters, many wearing blue shifts or waving blue flags. In Kabul, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah addressed a crowd of 10,000 supporters, many wearing blue shifts or waving blue flags.
The ex-Finance Minister, Ashraf Ghani, addressed a rally of 5,000 in the eastern Nangarhar province.The ex-Finance Minister, Ashraf Ghani, addressed a rally of 5,000 in the eastern Nangarhar province.
Mr Ghani, who is running on a campaign of economic development, vowed to replace the "corrupt government with a legitimate one", according to French news agency, AFP.Mr Ghani, who is running on a campaign of economic development, vowed to replace the "corrupt government with a legitimate one", according to French news agency, AFP.
The UN and the US both expressed concern at the timing of Gen Dostum's return and any prospective role he may have in government.The UN and the US both expressed concern at the timing of Gen Dostum's return and any prospective role he may have in government.
In a live televised election debate on Sunday, Mr Karzai defended his alliances with several Afghan warlords, saying they served the interests of national unity.In a live televised election debate on Sunday, Mr Karzai defended his alliances with several Afghan warlords, saying they served the interests of national unity.
Taliban threatTaliban threat
The election is taking place amid mounting violence in the country, with Taliban militants threatening to harm anyone who takes part. There are fears that the turnout could be low as a result.The election is taking place amid mounting violence in the country, with Taliban militants threatening to harm anyone who takes part. There are fears that the turnout could be low as a result.
Afghan elections: Main candidates In pictures: Campaigning closes Deaths take UK Afghan toll to 201Afghan elections: Main candidates In pictures: Campaigning closes Deaths take UK Afghan toll to 201
A survey by the BBC's Afghan service suggests the government has limited or no control in 30% of the country.A survey by the BBC's Afghan service suggests the government has limited or no control in 30% of the country.
The survey is based on assessments by reporters in the field who found that in 4% of Afghanistan's districts, the government provides no security or services.The survey is based on assessments by reporters in the field who found that in 4% of Afghanistan's districts, the government provides no security or services.
The majority of them are in the south, where most Taliban attacks have taken place.The majority of them are in the south, where most Taliban attacks have taken place.
A spokesman for President Karzai said the government did not agree with the findings and there were security problems in just a few districts.A spokesman for President Karzai said the government did not agree with the findings and there were security problems in just a few districts.
Our correspondent says that while there is evidence of corruption, above all it is the ongoing war with the Taliban - within at least a third of the country - that makes this election far from normal. Our correspondent says that, while there is evidence of corruption, above all it is the ongoing war with the Taliban - in at least a third of the country - that makes this election far from normal.
But having invested so heavily in terms of time, money and even lives, Western officials are likely to declare the vote a success - whatever the flaws and challenges, he adds.But having invested so heavily in terms of time, money and even lives, Western officials are likely to declare the vote a success - whatever the flaws and challenges, he adds.


Are you in Kabul? Did you witness the rocket attacks this morning? Send us your comments.Are you in Kabul? Did you witness the rocket attacks this morning? Send us your comments.
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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