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Karzai U-turn on polling watchdog Karzai U-turn on polling watchdog
(30 minutes later)
The Afghan president has agreed to let two foreigners join a panel monitoring upcoming parliamentary elections, reversing an earlier decision.The Afghan president has agreed to let two foreigners join a panel monitoring upcoming parliamentary elections, reversing an earlier decision.
Last month Mr Karzai signed a decree letting him appoint all five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission. Last month Hamid Karzai signed a decree letting him appoint all five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission.
But he came under fire for what some saw as a bid to control a body which stripped nearly a third of his votes in last year's fraud-tainted election.But he came under fire for what some saw as a bid to control a body which stripped nearly a third of his votes in last year's fraud-tainted election.
Mr Karzai was declared the eventual victor after his opponent dropped out.Mr Karzai was declared the eventual victor after his opponent dropped out.
On Saturday, a spokesman said Mr Karzai would now accept some foreigners on the body, because the nation was on a "transitional phase" to democracy.On Saturday, a spokesman said Mr Karzai would now accept some foreigners on the body, because the nation was on a "transitional phase" to democracy.
"The Afghan government has shown its readiness to accept two non-Afghans on the Electoral Complaints Commission and this has been announced to the United Nations," Waheed Omar said."The Afghan government has shown its readiness to accept two non-Afghans on the Electoral Complaints Commission and this has been announced to the United Nations," Waheed Omar said.
The watchdog helped expose massive fraud in last year's presidential poll, forcing Mr Karzai into a second vote. However the EEC would still be controlled by Afghans, who would have a majority of the votes, Mr Omar said.
But days before the vote in early November, it was scrapped, with officials citing a need to avert further political damage to Afghanistan and a rerun of the Taliban violence that marred the first round. Western governments reacted angrily last month after Mr Karzai signed the decree giving himself control over all appointments to the EEC.
One Western official, speaking to the BBC, questioned whether the international community would be willing to underwrite the costs of another election, which could be deeply flawed.
The watchdog's foreign members helped expose massive fraud in last year's presidential poll, discounting nearly one million votes for Mr Karzai, and forcing him into a run-off.
But days before the vote in early November, the vote was scrapped, with officials citing a need to avert further political damage to Afghanistan and a rerun of the Taliban violence that marred the first round.
Mr Karzai's only rival, Abdullah Abdullah, had earlier pulled out of the run-off, saying that it would not be free or fair.Mr Karzai's only rival, Abdullah Abdullah, had earlier pulled out of the run-off, saying that it would not be free or fair.
Correspondents say the commission - which previously had three foreign experts appointed by the United Nations - will play a vital role in this year's parliamentary poll.Correspondents say the commission - which previously had three foreign experts appointed by the United Nations - will play a vital role in this year's parliamentary poll.