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Afghan election process 'biased' | Afghan election process 'biased' |
(31 minutes later) | |
The main challenger in the Afghan election has claimed the body carrying out the count is being manipulated by the incumbent President Hamid Karzai. | The main challenger in the Afghan election has claimed the body carrying out the count is being manipulated by the incumbent President Hamid Karzai. |
Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Abdullah Abdullah said the election commission was on the president's side. | Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Abdullah Abdullah said the election commission was on the president's side. |
Since the Afghan election three weeks ago, the number of claims of fraud in the voting has been rising. | |
As the counting goes on Mr Karzai has just passed the 50% mark that means he does not have to face a second round. | As the counting goes on Mr Karzai has just passed the 50% mark that means he does not have to face a second round. |
In a strongly-worded interview for the BBC, he said the election was being stolen from the Afghan people, and the Independent Election Commission was anything but independent. | In a strongly-worded interview for the BBC, he said the election was being stolen from the Afghan people, and the Independent Election Commission was anything but independent. |
"It's not independent at all; it's on President Karzai's side," said Mr Abdullah. | "It's not independent at all; it's on President Karzai's side," said Mr Abdullah. |
"It has been corrupt, and their malpractice is now widespread. I think it's not for the good of the country that somebody who commits massive fraud rules the country for (almost) five years." | "It has been corrupt, and their malpractice is now widespread. I think it's not for the good of the country that somebody who commits massive fraud rules the country for (almost) five years." |
Mr Abdullah said the way the election had been conducted was a recipe for instability. | Mr Abdullah said the way the election had been conducted was a recipe for instability. |
"I'm not talking about just my own supporters, but those who cast their vote for Mr Karzai," he said. | "I'm not talking about just my own supporters, but those who cast their vote for Mr Karzai," he said. |
"Their vote is now part of the fraud. And on top of that, a fraudulent outcome: illegitimate rule for another five years. I think this in itself is a recipe for instability in this country." | "Their vote is now part of the fraud. And on top of that, a fraudulent outcome: illegitimate rule for another five years. I think this in itself is a recipe for instability in this country." |
But Mr Abdullah said he still wanted a fair result to be found through peaceful channels. | But Mr Abdullah said he still wanted a fair result to be found through peaceful channels. |
Earlier this week the international body overseeing the process took their first decisive step - ordering the election commission to hold a recount wherever there were suspicious ballots - potentially opening months of arguments. | Earlier this week the international body overseeing the process took their first decisive step - ordering the election commission to hold a recount wherever there were suspicious ballots - potentially opening months of arguments. |