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Afghan election fraud row mounts Afghan election fraud row mounts
(10 minutes later)
A row over alleged fraud in the Afghan presidential election has intensified, after a tribe in the south made the most serious claim so far.A row over alleged fraud in the Afghan presidential election has intensified, after a tribe in the south made the most serious claim so far.
The leader of Kandahar's Bareez tribe told the BBC that nearly 30,000 votes were cast fraudulently for President Hamid Karzai instead of a challenger.The leader of Kandahar's Bareez tribe told the BBC that nearly 30,000 votes were cast fraudulently for President Hamid Karzai instead of a challenger.
Mr Karzai's brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, who heads the Kandahar provincial council, called the claims "baseless".Mr Karzai's brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, who heads the Kandahar provincial council, called the claims "baseless".
The Electoral Complaints Commission is probing more than 2,000 fraud claims.The Electoral Complaints Commission is probing more than 2,000 fraud claims.
The claims could undermine the legitimacy of the election, which Afghanistan's Western allies see as crucial in their campaign against the Taliban.The claims could undermine the legitimacy of the election, which Afghanistan's Western allies see as crucial in their campaign against the Taliban.
Full investigationFull investigation
The Bareez tribal leader, Haji Mohammed Bareez, told the BBC that the ballot boxes from one district were "stuffed" with fraudulent votes in favour of Mr Karzai, according to Daud Qarizadah, of the BBC's Persian television service.The Bareez tribal leader, Haji Mohammed Bareez, told the BBC that the ballot boxes from one district were "stuffed" with fraudulent votes in favour of Mr Karzai, according to Daud Qarizadah, of the BBC's Persian television service.
They themselves filled the boxes with ballot papers. As I know 29,823 ballots went into the boxes from this district Haji Mohammed Bareez,tribal leader, KandaharThey themselves filled the boxes with ballot papers. As I know 29,823 ballots went into the boxes from this district Haji Mohammed Bareez,tribal leader, Kandahar
The tribe believes it has been deprived of its votes and wants a full investigation by the complaints commission, which has the power to throw them out if they are proved invalid.The tribe believes it has been deprived of its votes and wants a full investigation by the complaints commission, which has the power to throw them out if they are proved invalid.
The tribe decided before the election that it was dissatisfied with the performance of Hamid Karzai and announced it would back Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister and main challenger.The tribe decided before the election that it was dissatisfied with the performance of Hamid Karzai and announced it would back Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister and main challenger.
On election day it says its district polling stations were shut down and the ballot boxes brought to district headquarters in Kandahar where they were stuffed with votes in favour of Hamid Karzai.On election day it says its district polling stations were shut down and the ballot boxes brought to district headquarters in Kandahar where they were stuffed with votes in favour of Hamid Karzai.
Mr Bareez said: "Nobody participated in the polling from Shorabak district. No ballot box was brought here. They themselves filled the boxes with ballot papers. As I know 29,823 ballots went into the boxes from this district."Mr Bareez said: "Nobody participated in the polling from Shorabak district. No ballot box was brought here. They themselves filled the boxes with ballot papers. As I know 29,823 ballots went into the boxes from this district."
Ballot boxes are stacked ahead of counting in Kandahar on 21 August AFGHAN ELECTION Vote held on 20 August for presidency and provincial councilsTurnout not made official yet but estimated at 40-50%More than 400 insurgent attacks on polling day, Nato saysMore than 2,000 fraud allegations, 600 deemed seriousFinal result expected 17 Sept but fraud allegations must be clearedHamid Karzai has clear lead over Abdullah Abdullah in presidency raceCandidate needs more than 50% to avoid runoff class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8179845.stm">Q&A: Afghan election
He said the accusation could be proved with a simple investigation of voter cards and ballot papers.He said the accusation could be proved with a simple investigation of voter cards and ballot papers.
Ahmed Wali Karzai strongly denied the allegations of fraud.Ahmed Wali Karzai strongly denied the allegations of fraud.
He told the BBC: "The accusation is baseless and if anyone has any complaints regarding this problem, they should get in touch with the complaints office. I will be more than happy to answer questions."He told the BBC: "The accusation is baseless and if anyone has any complaints regarding this problem, they should get in touch with the complaints office. I will be more than happy to answer questions."
He said the opposition was making the claims because it had lost the election and was trying to undermine the electoral process.He said the opposition was making the claims because it had lost the election and was trying to undermine the electoral process.
Haji Mohammed Bareez told the BBC Ahmed Wali Karzai was a powerful figure in Kandahar and his tribe may face threats in the future.Haji Mohammed Bareez told the BBC Ahmed Wali Karzai was a powerful figure in Kandahar and his tribe may face threats in the future.
The Karzai camp says most of the allegations lodged with the complaints commission are against Mr Abdullah - a claim he denies.The Karzai camp says most of the allegations lodged with the complaints commission are against Mr Abdullah - a claim he denies.
Mr Abdullah has accused the government and the Independent Election Commission of colluding on fraud.Mr Abdullah has accused the government and the Independent Election Commission of colluding on fraud.
"With the cooperation of the Election Commission a massive fraud has taken place," he said."With the cooperation of the Election Commission a massive fraud has taken place," he said.
Fraud played down
Because the complaints commission has so many irregularities to investigate - 600 of them serious - our correspondent says final results of the presidential election may not be known until the end of September.Because the complaints commission has so many irregularities to investigate - 600 of them serious - our correspondent says final results of the presidential election may not be known until the end of September.
However, preliminary result may be announced next week. Ballot boxes are stacked ahead of counting in Kandahar on 21 August
With votes from 60.3% of polling stations tallied, Mr Karzai leads Mr Abdullah by 47.3% to 32.6%. A result is scheduled for 17 September but fraud allegations must be cleared before it is made official.
With ballots from 60.3% of polling stations tallied, Mr Karzai has 1,744,428 votes to 1,201,838 for Mr Abdullah, representing a lead of 47.3% to 32.6%.
A candidate needs 50% of the votes to avoid a run-off.A candidate needs 50% of the votes to avoid a run-off.
Western powers have played down concerns over fraud although they have stressed a fair outcome is vital.Western powers have played down concerns over fraud although they have stressed a fair outcome is vital.
US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said at a meeting on Afghanistan in Paris on Wednesday that irregularities were normal in any democracy.US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said at a meeting on Afghanistan in Paris on Wednesday that irregularities were normal in any democracy.