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/8259295.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Karzai condemns EU's fraud claims Karzai condemns EU's fraud claims
(about 1 hour later)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's campaign team has condemned as "irresponsible" claims by EU monitors about the extent of election fraud.Afghan President Hamid Karzai's campaign team has condemned as "irresponsible" claims by EU monitors about the extent of election fraud.
The row came as the final preliminary result gave Mr Karzai victory with 54.6%. The result is not yet official.The row came as the final preliminary result gave Mr Karzai victory with 54.6%. The result is not yet official.
EU election observers earlier said about 1.5m votes - about a quarter of all ballots - could be fraudulent.EU election observers earlier said about 1.5m votes - about a quarter of all ballots - could be fraudulent.
The claims came amid a growing strain in the international community about how to deal with the election fallout.The claims came amid a growing strain in the international community about how to deal with the election fallout.
Earlier, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan admitted his deputy had left the country after a row between them over the election.Earlier, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan admitted his deputy had left the country after a row between them over the election.
But Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, denied reports he had ordered his US deputy, Peter Galbraith, to leave.But Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, denied reports he had ordered his US deputy, Peter Galbraith, to leave.
Also on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama said there was "no immediate decision pending" on sending more troops to tackle a mounting Taliban insurgency.
His comments came a day after the top US military officer, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm Mike Mullen, told the Senate that more troops might be required.
Although Wednesday's results announcement represents a complete tally of votes, the final declaration of a winner is not likely to be made for some weeks.Although Wednesday's results announcement represents a complete tally of votes, the final declaration of a winner is not likely to be made for some weeks.
Mr Abdullah was listed second with 27.8% and turnout was confirmed as 38.7%.Mr Abdullah was listed second with 27.8% and turnout was confirmed as 38.7%.
'Interfering''Interfering'
Mr Karzai's team reacted angrily to the statement of the EU monitors.Mr Karzai's team reacted angrily to the statement of the EU monitors.
A statement from his campaign office said: "Today's announcement of the number of suspected votes, by the head and deputy head of the EU Election Monitoring Commission, is partial, irresponsible and in contradiction with Afghanistan's constitution."A statement from his campaign office said: "Today's announcement of the number of suspected votes, by the head and deputy head of the EU Election Monitoring Commission, is partial, irresponsible and in contradiction with Afghanistan's constitution."
ANALYSIS Martin Patience, BBC News, KabulANALYSIS Martin Patience, BBC News, Kabul
This is the end of the vote count - but the election is far from finished. President Karzai may have a commanding lead in the initial results. But allegations of fraud still need to be investigated.This is the end of the vote count - but the election is far from finished. President Karzai may have a commanding lead in the initial results. But allegations of fraud still need to be investigated.
And how many votes are annulled will have a huge bearing on what happens next. The Electoral Complaints Commission says it is recounting votes cast at 10% of all the polling stations.And how many votes are annulled will have a huge bearing on what happens next. The Electoral Complaints Commission says it is recounting votes cast at 10% of all the polling stations.
As things stand, the incumbent won't have to face a run-off. But if President Karzai's share of the vote drops below a majority - he will face a second round against his closest challenger Abdullah Abdullah.As things stand, the incumbent won't have to face a run-off. But if President Karzai's share of the vote drops below a majority - he will face a second round against his closest challenger Abdullah Abdullah.
The statement said the monitors should be referring their findings to the Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission.The statement said the monitors should be referring their findings to the Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission.
"We believe the only way we can have a legitimate result out of the current process is to allow the legal institutions to complete the process and refrain from interfering in their affairs," the statement said."We believe the only way we can have a legitimate result out of the current process is to allow the legal institutions to complete the process and refrain from interfering in their affairs," the statement said.
Asked about the preliminary result announcement, Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar said it still needed to be confirmed by the watchdog.Asked about the preliminary result announcement, Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar said it still needed to be confirmed by the watchdog.
But he added: "Unless a miracle happens, we are the winner."But he added: "Unless a miracle happens, we are the winner."
Dimitra Ioannou, from the EU monitoring mission, had said that of the suspicious votes cast, 1.1m were for Mr Karzai and 300,000 for his main challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah.Dimitra Ioannou, from the EU monitoring mission, had said that of the suspicious votes cast, 1.1m were for Mr Karzai and 300,000 for his main challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah.
"Massive fraud was taking place at polling station level and when all these ballot boxes arrived at the tally centres, instead of being quarantined and investigated, they were accepted as good results.""Massive fraud was taking place at polling station level and when all these ballot boxes arrived at the tally centres, instead of being quarantined and investigated, they were accepted as good results."
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 BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says the allegations could put pressure on the complaints commission to widen its investigation into voter fraud.The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says the allegations could put pressure on the complaints commission to widen its investigation into voter fraud.
The EU-Karzai row was apparently mirrored in the rift within the UN mission.The EU-Karzai row was apparently mirrored in the rift within the UN mission.
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.
Mr Galbraith was said to have advocated a wholesale recount.Mr Galbraith was said to have advocated a wholesale recount.
Such a move would probably mean a second-round run-off, potentially leaving Afghanistan in political limbo for months.Such a move would probably mean a second-round run-off, potentially leaving Afghanistan in political limbo for months.
Mr Eide said Mr Galbraith would "leave the mission for a while and then he'll come back".Mr Eide said Mr Galbraith would "leave the mission for a while and then he'll come back".