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Recount clouds Karzai poll lead | Recount clouds Karzai poll lead |
(30 minutes later) | |
Latest results from Afghanistan's presidential election show President Hamid Karzai with 54.1% of the vote after 92% of polling stations declared. | Latest results from Afghanistan's presidential election show President Hamid Karzai with 54.1% of the vote after 92% of polling stations declared. |
The results push President Karzai past the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off with rival Abdullah Abdullah. | The results push President Karzai past the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off with rival Abdullah Abdullah. |
But the figures were thrown into doubt by the UN-backed election complaints commission ordering a number of recounts and audits of votes. | But the figures were thrown into doubt by the UN-backed election complaints commission ordering a number of recounts and audits of votes. |
It warned that it had found "clear and convincing evidence of fraud". | It warned that it had found "clear and convincing evidence of fraud". |
The 20 August election has been overshadowed by claims against all the main candidates of fraud and ballot-box stuffing. | The 20 August election has been overshadowed by claims against all the main candidates of fraud and ballot-box stuffing. |
AFGHAN POLL FRAUD 8 Sep: Poll complaints body orders some recounts nationwide8 Sep: IEC says votes from 600 polling stations "quarantined"3 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 fraudulently for Karzai in Ghazni18 Aug: Ballot cards sold openly and voter bribes offered Election: Main fraud allegations Afghanistan's future in peril Suicide bomb hits Afghan airport Merkel regrets Afghan raid deaths | AFGHAN POLL FRAUD 8 Sep: Poll complaints body orders some recounts nationwide8 Sep: IEC says votes from 600 polling stations "quarantined"3 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 fraudulently for Karzai in Ghazni18 Aug: Ballot cards sold openly and voter bribes offered Election: Main fraud allegations Afghanistan's future in peril Suicide bomb hits Afghan airport Merkel regrets Afghan raid deaths |
A credible election result was seen as a key objective for the West, as it continues its campaign against the Taliban. | A credible election result was seen as a key objective for the West, as it continues its campaign against the Taliban. |
The latest results came in from the south, where President Karzai enjoys strong support. | The latest results came in from the south, where President Karzai enjoys strong support. |
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said Abdullah Abdullah remained second, with 28.3% of the vote. | The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said Abdullah Abdullah remained second, with 28.3% of the vote. |
However, it said it had "quarantined" results from 600 polling stations where it suspects irregularities. The list of those stations has been sent to the complaints commission (ECC). | However, it said it had "quarantined" results from 600 polling stations where it suspects irregularities. The list of those stations has been sent to the complaints commission (ECC). |
Earlier, the ECC said a recount and inspection should be done for any polling station where 600 or more votes were cast, or where any single candidate got more than 95% of votes. | Earlier, the ECC said a recount and inspection should be done for any polling station where 600 or more votes were cast, or where any single candidate got more than 95% of votes. |
It was the first time the ECC had gone public with accusations of fraud. | |
Commission chairman Grant Kippen said it was not known how many polling stations this would involve. | |
He said investigations conducted in Ghazni, Paktika and Kandahar found "clear evidence of irregularity" within polling stations and ballot boxes. | He said investigations conducted in Ghazni, Paktika and Kandahar found "clear evidence of irregularity" within polling stations and ballot boxes. |
"We decided based on those investigations... that we would order the IEC to conduct an audit and recount of polling stations around the country." | "We decided based on those investigations... that we would order the IEC to conduct an audit and recount of polling stations around the country." |
Results from a number of polling stations showed President Karzai winning 100% of the vote. | Results from a number of polling stations showed President Karzai winning 100% of the vote. |
The BBC's Chris Morris in Kabul says recounts could strip President Karzai of many votes. | The BBC's Chris Morris in Kabul says recounts could strip President Karzai of many votes. |
Although the likelihood is that President Karzai will emerge the victor, how much legitimacy and credibility that victory has will be another question, our correspondent says. | Although the likelihood is that President Karzai will emerge the victor, how much legitimacy and credibility that victory has will be another question, our correspondent says. |
IEC chief electoral officer Daoud Ali Najafi said it could take two to three months to comply with the ECC's audit and recount order. | |
Analysts say that a second round of voting, if needed, would be difficult to hold beyond the end of October because of Afghanistan's extreme weather. | |
The election results have been released piecemeal by the IEC. | The election results have been released piecemeal by the IEC. |
The previous figures, released on Sunday, gave Mr Karzai 48.6% of the vote against 31.7% for Mr Abdullah. | The previous figures, released on Sunday, gave Mr Karzai 48.6% of the vote against 31.7% for Mr Abdullah. |
Last month's election day was marred by more than 400 Taliban attacks, including against voters whom the insurgents had warned not to turn out. | |
The US is considering whether to send thousands more troops to the country, where violence has hit a record high eight years after the US-led invasion. | The US is considering whether to send thousands more troops to the country, where violence has hit a record high eight years after the US-led invasion. |