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UN mission split over Afghan poll UN mission split over Afghan poll
(about 1 hour later)
The head of the UN mission in Afghanistan has admitted his deputy left the country after a row between them over the disputed Afghan election.The head of the UN mission in Afghanistan has admitted his deputy left the country after a row between them over the disputed Afghan election.
But Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, denied reports that he had ordered his US deputy, Peter Galbraith, to leave.But Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, denied reports that he had ordered his US deputy, Peter Galbraith, to leave.
EU election observers have meanwhile said that about 1.5m votes - about a quarter of all ballots - cast in the presidential vote could be fraudulent.EU election observers have meanwhile said that about 1.5m votes - about a quarter of all ballots - cast in the presidential vote could be fraudulent.
They say that 1.1 million votes cast for President Karzai are suspicious.They say that 1.1 million votes cast for President Karzai are suspicious.
EU observers say they also have doubts about 300,000 cast for his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah - along with a number of votes for other candidates.EU observers say they also have doubts about 300,000 cast for his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah - along with a number of votes for other candidates.
Remaining preliminary results are due to be released on Wednesday, four weeks after the election, although the final declaration of a winner is not likely to be made for some weeks.Remaining preliminary results are due to be released on Wednesday, four weeks after the election, although the final declaration of a winner is not likely to be made for some weeks.
'Disagreement''Disagreement'
Mr Eide and Mr Galbraith reportedly disagreed over the extent to which vote recounts were necessary.Mr Eide and Mr Galbraith reportedly disagreed over the extent to which vote recounts were necessary.
AFGHAN POLL FRAUD 15 Sep: ECC chief says 10% of votes need to be recounted8 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 allegationsAFGHAN POLL FRAUD 15 Sep: ECC chief says 10% of votes need to be recounted8 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
The row centres on how to deal with alleged election fraud, with Mr Galbraith reportedly advocating a wholesale recount of last month's poll. The row centres on how to deal with alleged election fraud, with Mr Galbraith reportedly advocating a wholesale recount of last month's poll. Such a recount would probably mean a second-round run-off, potentially leaving Afghanistan in political limbo for months.
"There has been a disagreement," Mr Eide told the BBC's Newshour programme on Tuesday."There has been a disagreement," Mr Eide told the BBC's Newshour programme on Tuesday.
"That disagreement has been resolved through his [Mr Galbraith's] proposal to leave the mission for a while and then he'll come back."That disagreement has been resolved through his [Mr Galbraith's] proposal to leave the mission for a while and then he'll come back.
"He's a valuable deputy and I do hope that we can re-establish a good team and work together.""He's a valuable deputy and I do hope that we can re-establish a good team and work together."
Mr Eide declined to talk about details of his disagreement with Mr Galbraith.Mr Eide declined to talk about details of his disagreement with Mr Galbraith.
But he said it was important for the UN to respect the constitutional bodies in charge of the presidential election "to avoid any impression that there foreign interference". But he said it was important for the UN to respect the constitutional bodies in charge of the presidential election "to avoid any impression that there is foreign interference".
RecountRecount
The 20 August election has been beset by allegations of fraud which threaten to undermine the final result.The 20 August election has been beset by allegations of fraud which threaten to undermine the final result.
The EU observers did not give an estimated turnout figure, but it is expected to be low - mostly because of Taliban intimidation of voters.The EU observers did not give an estimated turnout figure, but it is expected to be low - mostly because of Taliban intimidation of voters.
At the moment. President Karzai is leading the count with 54.3% of the disputed votes. Mr Abdullah is estimated to have 28.1% of the vote.At the moment. President Karzai is leading the count with 54.3% of the disputed votes. Mr Abdullah is estimated to have 28.1% of the vote.
Analysts say that turnout is around 30-35%, not much higher than six million out of a total registered electorate of 17 million.Analysts say that turnout is around 30-35%, not much higher than six million out of a total registered electorate of 17 million.
Analysts sat that the low turnout and the allegations of fraud could have an impact on President Karzai's current lead over his main rival.Analysts sat that the low turnout and the allegations of fraud could have an impact on President Karzai's current lead over his main rival.
On Tuesday a vote official said ballots from 10% of polling stations needed recounting.On Tuesday a vote official said ballots from 10% of polling stations needed recounting.
Grant Kippen of the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) said some 2,500 polling stations across the country were affected because of suspicions of fraud.Grant Kippen of the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) said some 2,500 polling stations across the country were affected because of suspicions of fraud.
A substantive vote recount could force incumbent Hamid Karzai into a run-off vote.A substantive vote recount could force incumbent Hamid Karzai into a run-off vote.