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UN warns Afghans over poll fraud UN warns Afghans over poll fraud
(29 minutes later)
The UN has called for a crackdown on Afghan poll fraud, amid mounting concerns about irregularities from last month's presidential election.The UN has called for a crackdown on Afghan poll fraud, amid mounting concerns about irregularities from last month's presidential election.
UN envoy Kai Eide says results from all ballot boxes in areas where there is any evidence of fraud must be annulled.UN envoy Kai Eide says results from all ballot boxes in areas where there is any evidence of fraud must be annulled.
The Afghan electoral complaints' commission has ordered a number of audits and recounts.The Afghan electoral complaints' commission has ordered a number of audits and recounts.
According to the latest results, Mr Karzai is close to the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off ballot. According to the most recent results, President Hamid Karzai was close to the threshold needed to avoid a run-off.
The 20 August poll has been overshadowed by claims of mass fraud and ballot-box stuffing against all the main candidates.The 20 August poll has been overshadowed by claims of mass fraud and ballot-box stuffing against all the main candidates.
Major fraud complaintsMajor fraud complaints
The US ambassador to Afghanistan met President Hamid Karzai on Monday night to discuss his concerns. It is not known how Mr Karzai responded to the visit by Karl Eikenberry.The US ambassador to Afghanistan met President Hamid Karzai on Monday night to discuss his concerns. It is not known how Mr Karzai responded to the visit by Karl Eikenberry.
AFGHAN POLL FRAUD 8 Sep: Poll complaints body orders some recounts nationwide6 Sep: About 200,000 votes are discounted by poll officials3 Sep: Claims 30,000 fraudulent votes cast for Karzai in Kandahar30 Aug: 2,000 fraud allegations are probed; 600 deemed serious20 Aug: Election day and claims 80,000 ballots were filled out fradulently for Karzai in Ghazni18 Aug: Ballot cards sold openly and voter bribes offered Afghanistan's future in peril Suicide bomb hits Afghan airport Merkel regrets Afghan raid deathsAFGHAN POLL FRAUD 8 Sep: Poll complaints body orders some recounts nationwide6 Sep: About 200,000 votes are discounted by poll officials3 Sep: Claims 30,000 fraudulent votes cast for Karzai in Kandahar30 Aug: 2,000 fraud allegations are probed; 600 deemed serious20 Aug: Election day and claims 80,000 ballots were filled out fradulently for Karzai in Ghazni18 Aug: Ballot cards sold openly and voter bribes offered Afghanistan's future in peril Suicide bomb hits Afghan airport Merkel regrets Afghan raid deaths
On Tuesday, Kai Eide, the UN special representative to Afghanistan, called in a written statement for the poll authorities to ensure the final outcome faithfully reflected the will of Afghan voters.On Tuesday, Kai Eide, the UN special representative to Afghanistan, called in a written statement for the poll authorities to ensure the final outcome faithfully reflected the will of Afghan voters.
Later, the electoral complaints' commission said there should be a recount where any single candidate received more than 95% of valid votes, in any polling station where more than 100 votes were cast.Later, the electoral complaints' commission said there should be a recount where any single candidate received more than 95% of valid votes, in any polling station where more than 100 votes were cast.
The body - which has been investigating hundreds of allegations of major poll fraud - also called for an audit in any polling station where 600 or more votes were cast.The body - which has been investigating hundreds of allegations of major poll fraud - also called for an audit in any polling station where 600 or more votes were cast.
It is not yet known how many of the nearly 26,000 polling stations nationwide could be affected.It is not yet known how many of the nearly 26,000 polling stations nationwide could be affected.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Kabul says more results are due to be declared on Tuesday, but many senior international officials believe they could be fraudulent.The BBC's Chris Morris in Kabul says more results are due to be declared on Tuesday, but many senior international officials believe they could be fraudulent.
On Sunday, Afghan election officials annulled about 200,000 ballots. On Sunday, Afghan election officials annulled about 200,000 ballots. But there are suggestions irregularities were much more widespread.
But there are suggestions irregularities were much more widespread.
Washington is mulling whether to send more troops to Afghanistan
Our correspondent says if the Afghan administration is perceived to lack a legitimate mandate, fighting the Taliban, tackling corruption and spreading good government will become more difficult.Our correspondent says if the Afghan administration is perceived to lack a legitimate mandate, fighting the Taliban, tackling corruption and spreading good government will become more difficult.
Election day was also marred by more than 400 Taliban attacks, including against voters whom the insurgents had warned not to turn out.Election day was also marred by more than 400 Taliban attacks, including against voters whom the insurgents had warned not to turn out.
The controversy comes as Washington considers whether to send thousands more troops to the country, where violence has hit a record high eight years on from the US-led invasion.The controversy comes as Washington considers whether to send thousands more troops to the country, where violence has hit a record high eight years on from the US-led invasion.
Mr Karzai said on Monday in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro that "the Americans" were attacking him because they wanted him to be more docile.Mr Karzai said on Monday in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro that "the Americans" were attacking him because they wanted him to be more docile.
He told the newspaper "nobody has an interest in the Afghan president becoming an American puppet".He told the newspaper "nobody has an interest in the Afghan president becoming an American puppet".


Are you in Afghanistan? Are you worried about election fraud? Do you think the elections are legitimate? Send us your views using the form below.Are you in Afghanistan? Are you worried about election fraud? Do you think the elections are legitimate? Send us your views using the form below.
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