This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8243276.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
UN warns Afghans over poll fraud UN warns Afghans over poll fraud
(40 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 BBC has learned that the US ambassador in Kabul and a senior UN official met President Hamid Karzai on Monday night to discuss their concerns.The BBC has learned that the US ambassador in Kabul and a senior UN official met President Hamid Karzai on Monday night to discuss their concerns.
In the most recent partial results, Mr Karzai was close to outright victory. According to the latest results, Mr Karzai is close to outright victory.
In a written statement on Tuesday, Mr Eide, the UN special representative to Afghanistan, called on the election authorities to ensure the final outcome faithfully reflected the will of Afghan voters. Kai Eide, the UN special representative to Afghanistan, called in a written statement on Tuesday for the election authorities to ensure the final outcome faithfully reflected the will of Afghan voters.
The 20 August poll has been overshadowed by claims of mass fraud and ballot-box stuffing.The 20 August poll has been overshadowed by claims of mass fraud and ballot-box stuffing.
ComplaintsComplaints
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.
Afghan election officials at the weekend annulled results from 447 poll centres, amounting to about 200,000 ballots. Afghan election officials at the weekend annulled results amounting to about 200,000 ballots from 447 out of about 28,000 poll centres.
But there are suggestions that irregularities were much more widespread.But there are suggestions that irregularities were much more widespread.
America's ABC News has quoted Western officials as saying the number of questionable ballots could be more than one million - roughly a quarter of the entire vote, says our correspondent.
The latest results on Sunday showed Mr Karzai close to the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off ballot, with three-quarters of votes counted.The latest results on Sunday showed Mr Karzai close to the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off ballot, with three-quarters of votes counted.
But more than 650 serious fraud charges have been lodged with a poll complaints' commission.But more than 650 serious fraud charges have been lodged with a poll complaints' commission.
Our correspondent says a critical issue for the future strategy of Nato members in Afghanistan is that it should have a government with a legitimate electoral mandate.
He adds if the poll is perceived to have been stolen, it will make it much more difficult to fight the Taliban, tackle corruption and spread good government.
The controversy comes as Washington is considering whether to send thousands more troops to the country, where violence has hit a record high eight years on from the US-led invasion.
It is not known how Hamid Karzai responded to Monday evening's visit by Karl Eikenberry, US Ambassador to Afghanistan, and UN Special Representative Peter Galbraith.
In an interview published on Monday in the French newspaper Le Figaro, Mr Karzai said "the Americans" were attacking him secretly because they would like him to be more docile.
He told the newspaper that "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.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions