InfoAnda - 'Serious concern' over fraud at Afghan elections

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

British singer Lily Allen loses baby | 2 November 2010
Gospel singer Wilson's Love still strong | | 18 September 2010
Eclipse takes $30 million bite from midnight box office | | 1 July 2010

Earl's Approach Puts NC Outer Banks Under Forced Evacuations | 2 September 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : 'Serious concern' over fraud at Afghan elections

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America 'Serious concern' over fraud at Afghan elections By HEIDI VOGT,Associated Press Writer - Monday, September 20 Send IM Story Print KABUL, Afghanistan – The main Afghan election observer group said it had serious concerns about the legitimacy of this weekend's parliamentary vote because of reported fraud, even as President Hamid Karzai commended the balloting as a solid success. The conflicting statements underscored the difficulty of determining the credibility of the vote also hit by militant attacks that hurt the turnout. Afghan officials started gathering and tallying results Sunday in a process that could last weeks if not months. The country's international backers praised those who voted Saturday despite bomb and rocket attacks and voiced hoped for a democratic result. A repeat of the pervasive fraud that tainted a presidential election a year ago would only erode further the standing of Karzai administration _ both at home and abroad _ as it struggles against a Taliban insurgency. While the first vote counts are due to be made public in a few days time, full preliminary results are not expected until early October, and then there will be weeks of fraud investigations before winners are officially announced for the 249 parliamentary seats, which were contested by about 2,500 candidates. The election commission has said it hopes to release final results by the end of October. But there are likely to be a host of fraud complaints in each province _ which could drag the process beyond that target date. The resolution of last year's vote took months. On Sunday, the independent Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan said it "has serious concerns about the quality of elections," given the insecurity and numerous complaints of fraud. FEFA deployed about 7,000 people around the country, making it the largest observer of the parliamentary vote. Many international observer groups scaled back their operations from last year because of security concerns. At least 21 civilians and nine police officers were killed during the voting, according to the election commission and the Interior Ministry, amid dozens of bombings and rocket attacks. In addition, two pollworkers were kidnapped in northern Balkh province and their bodies were discovered Sunday, Afghan election commission chairman Fazel Ahmad Manawi told reporters. The election commission has yet to provide an overall turnout figure but it appears to have been lower than last year. The commission said Sunday that at least 4 million people voted _ at least 24 percent of the country's 17 million registered voters _ though they were still waiting for reports from some voting centers. Nearly 6 million ballots were cast last year, though the widespread ballot-box stuffing means it was difficult to know how many people actually voted. Throughout Saturday's balloting, complaints that anti-fraud measures were being ignored or weren't working poured in from across the country. People said the indelible ink that is supposed to stain voters' fingers for 72 hours could be washed off. In some polling stations, observers said poll workers were letting people vote with obviously fake voter cards. "Ballot stuffing was seen to varying extents in most provinces, as were proxy voting and underage voting," FEFA said. Yet Karzai issued a statement Sunday calling the vote an all-round success. "President Karzai congratulates the nation of Afghanistan on its successful parliamentary election," the statement said. "This has been another positive step in strengthening democracy in our country." He went on to call on the country's anti-fraud watchdog to thoroughly investigate all fraud complaints. The head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, stressed how difficult it is to hold an election in a war zone like Afghanistan and said the Afghan government should be praised for managing to get people out to vote at all. "It's almost a miracle to have an election in these circumstances," de Mistura said. However, he said it was too early to determine whether the vote was a success, and cautioned that the combination of a low turnout in some areas and fraud allegations could threaten the results. "That may be a toxic combination," de Mistura said. The head of U.S.-based observer group Democracy International said the tallying and fraud-investigation process will be key to determining the election's validity. "Right now is a pretty critical time," Jed Ober said. "They will be following up on claims and verifying them. So much remains to be seen." Last year's presidential vote was so tainted by ballot-box stuffing and rejiggered tallies _ much to Karzai's benefit _ that nearly a third of his votes were thrown out. If Afghans don't accept the results of the vote, it could have a profound effect both inside the country and with Afghanistan's international backers, who have 140,000 troops in the country and have spent billions trying to shore up Karzai's administration. Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up to Karzai in the 2009 poll, has suggested there could be unrest if voters feel disenfranchised, and that candidates installed despite accusations of fraudulent voting could lead to a rubber-stamp parliament in the hands of the government. However, an election perceived as legitimate could go some way to building public faith in a democratic system which has struggled to take root since the hardline Taliban regime was ousted in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The election drew a wide array of candidates, and at least in key urban centers, campaigning was vigorous and citizens on Saturday voiced resolve in voting despite the threat of militant attack. Violence continued on Sunday, with three rockets fired a meeting of senior officials in southern Kandahar province which was intended to rally support against the Taliban. The closest landed about 40 meters (45 yards) away from the meeting in Arghandab district, attended by the provincial governor and Karzai's brother Ahmad Wali Karzai, who chairs the provincial council. No one was hurt. In the north, an insurgent rocket attack killed six children in Ali Abad district of Kunduz province, the Interior Ministry said without providing further details. Meanwhile, NATO forces said they killed seven insurgents in an attack Saturday targeting a Taliban commander at a village compound in volatile Nangarhar province in the east. Ghafor Khan, the district police spokesman, said five people were killed and two wounded in the attack. He said investigators were determining whether the casualties were insurgents or civilians. NATO said its initial reporting was that no civilians were killed or hurt. Afghan officials have repeatedly warned that civilian casualties undermine anti-insurgency efforts. NATO said three of its service members died in attacks in Afghanistan on Saturday. Two died in a bomb attack in the south and another in an insurgent attack in the north. Their nationalities were not disclosed. ___ Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Dusan Stojanovic in Kabul, and Mirwais Khan in Kandahar contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles 23 Tajik soldiers die in terror attack: ministry AFP - 20 minutes ago British forces hand over Afghan district to US AFP - 34 minutes ago UK-World Summary Reuters - 52 minutes ago Swedish centre-right wins ballot but loses majority Reuters - 1 hour 6 minutes ago World leaders seek new ways on Millennium goals AFP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago News Search Top Stories IMF-EU delay Greek bank tests: report BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead' Australia warns of C.Games terror attack 'risk' Pakistan cricket chief says England threw game Cancer: New gene clues point to women's 'silent killers' More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Lindsay Lohan fails drug test, faces jail again Samsung takes aim at Apple's iPad, iTunes Sunderland deny Arsenal win in Premier League Wall Street ends week up, awaits Fed meeting New rules to force German banks to raise 50 bln: report More Most Viewed » Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss US pastor puts Koran-burning on hold 'Time bomb' superbug requires global response: doctor Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP Vitamin B 'could delay Alzheimer's onset' More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 20 September 2010
Egypt's spy chief meets Hamas leader in Saudi
Dutch police arrest terror suspect at airport: prosecutors
Iran denies detaining seven US troops
Ahmadinejad calls on U.S. to release 8 Iranians |
Germany's HRE bank defends millions in bonus payments
Four die as woman opens fire in German town |
Boxer Hatton denies cocaine problem
ETA says ready to go further for peace
United, Continental Airlines Stockholders Approve Merger
Florida Couple Plead Guilty To Forcing Foreigners Into Cheap Labor
Virginia Governor Refuses To Call Off Woman's Execution
Police Fear Group Suicide Plot In LA Area
Nigeria security adviser quits to challenge Jonathan |
Iran Denies Arresting U.S. Troops
Dutch arrest terrorism suspect at Schiphol |
Electronic Payment Solution Processes $6 Billion
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Ben Affleck steals box office crown with "Town"
Yemen Outlaws Motorcycles
England cricketer appears naked in gay magazine
Germany's beer fest deploys stench-eating bacteria
UK police leader says: 'decriminalise cannabis'
S.African maize may feed Chinese chickens
China's Sinochem asks government to back Potash bid
Global brands face growing labour militancy in Asia
Ben Affleck steals box office crown with Town |
King's Speech wins top Toronto film fest prize |
Twin Baghdad car bombs kill 29
US hiker feels 'one-third free' as friends stay in Iran jail
Sweden coalition lose majority as far-right surge
China media warn Japan over escalating sea row |
US-TECH Summary
Four killed in Germany shootings: police
BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead'
American released from Iran prison says she's no spy |
Ahmadinejad calls on U.S. to release 8 Iranians
Apple's latest iPhone to go on sale in China on Saturday
Australia warns of C.Games terror attack 'risk'
Oracle unveils new hardware for managing cloud computing
'Serious concern' over fraud at Afghan elections
Swedish center-right wins vote, losses majority |
American Detained In Iran Arrives Home
Pakistan cricket chief says England threw game
Toyota Settles Runaway Lexus Accident Claims With Relatives Of Dead Victims
Cancer: New gene clues point to women's 'silent killers'
Dutch arrest British terrorism suspect at Schiphol |
"Modern Family" Releasing Complete 1st Season Blu-Ray, DVD
Facebook denies plans to build its own phone
Missing ‘Cult’ Members Found Praying In Park
'Hacktivity 2010' tackles computer security in Hungary
EU acts to extend digital switchover to remote and elderly
Strong German opposition to Google Street View: report
Moral search engines squeeze out sin on Internet
Ghost of communal riots haunts India mosque verdict |
Tajikistan blames Islamist militants for ambush |
After pummelling Taiwan, storm Fanapi hits China
Hurricane Igor passes Bermuda with no direct hit
Rich donors urge rethink of aid at U.N. poverty meet |
Lockerbie bomber 'can get out of bed, walk'
13 dead in India train crash: officials
Pope, ending his trip, recalls Nazi terror in WW2 |
Top Mideast officials fly to US as peace talks crisis looms
Q+A
Woman opens fire in German town, four killed |
Seven held in China over new tainted milk find: report
Indonesian anti-terror squad kills three suspects
Randy Quaid arrested for squatting in old home
Police probe Delhi shooting amid fear for C.Games
Italian press blasts "Eat Pray Love" as kitsch
Powerful typhoon heads for China after lashing Taiwan
'The King's Speech' wins Toronto film fest award
Australia warns 'high risk of terrorism' at C.Games
Affleck heist film tops US box office
Malaysia buys China bonds in boost for renminbi: report
Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years
Oracle unveils new hardware for managing cloud computing |
Protesters urge Madrid to adopt debate on bullfighting ban
Typhoon injures 107, shuts plants in Taiwan; China next
Facebook denies plans to build its own phone |
"King's Speech" wins top Toronto film fest prize
Seoul shares rangebound in light pre-holiday trade
Apple's latest iPhone to go on sale in China on Saturday |
S.Korean bonds edge up in thin pre-holiday trade
Seoul shares open lower;caution before holiday
RPT-PREVIEW-Taiwan August export orders seen up 20.2 pct y/y
NZ services sector growth picks up in August
Indian group weighs MGM bid: report
China a beacon for foreign clean tech firms
Indonesian companies cash in on boom times
China central bank adviser says no to yuan pressure: report
Randy Quaid arrested for squatting in old home |
Lindsay Lohan tweets that she failed drug test |
YouTube and Guggenheim showcase video artists |
Italian press blasts Eat Pray Love as kitsch |
Special report
Competition watchdog fines French banks 384 mln euros
Karzai believes too early to judge Afghan election |
Dell to invest $100 billion in China by 2020
Iran hits at U.N. nuclear watchdog, defies West
Iran hits at U.N. nuclear watchdog, defies West |
New film to chronicle the birth of Facebook
BP oil spill costs hit $9.5 bln
UK forces hand over Afghan district to US
IMF-EU delay Greek bank tests: report
Bill Clinton philanthropy meeting eyes Haiti, Pakistan |
Pastor Terry Jones Billed $180K For Security Surrounding Protest
Israel angered over Russian plan to sell Syria missiles
Special report: Tracking Iran's nuclear money trail to Turkey |
Fraud claims cast shadow over Afghan poll
Senate Candidate Dabbled In Occult
Mladic arrest vital for war crimes courts: prosecutor |
Missing Georgia Boy May Be In Danger
Iran presses US as freed American returns
IBM To Buy Netezza For $1.7 Billion
U.N. chief urges donors not to divert aid from poor |
Abercrombie Up Against Hawaii Lt. Gov. In November Governor Race
Ireland needs to rethink budget plan: central bank government |
Afghan vote observers: Fraud must be investigated
Canadian Aborigine Leaders Want U.S. To Stop "Dirty Oil" Flow
Many Cases Of Childhood Obesity Could Be Caused By Viruses
Kids With H1N1 Had More Seizures Than Those With Seasonal Flu
British troops leave volatile Afghan district
India snubbed by Kashmir separatists
UK hands over violent Afghan district to U.S. troops |
Japan calls for calm as China boat row escalates
Homes Destroyed After Guardmen's Training Sparks Fire
"The Town" Finishes First Place, "Easy A" Debuts Strong At Second
Ousted Malaysian sultan mounts legal challenge
New TV thriller "Event" a test of viewer patience
Australia and U.S. warn citizens as India probes shooting
Lady Gaga, Katy Perry lead MTV Europe nominations
China media warn Japan over escalating sea row
"Monsters" sets standard for guerrilla filmmaking
World powers to tackle climate amid skepticism
Anwar loses bid to strike out sodomy charges
YouTube and Guggenheim showcase video artists
Thai army says grenades missing
India seeks upgrades for BlackBerry monitoring: sources |
Muslim rebels clash with Phillipine troops
Verizon names new COO, likely CEO successor |
BUY OR SELL-S.Korean retailers: How long can they outperform?
Ghost of communal riots haunts India mosque verdict
Special Report: Welcome to Nokia, Mr Elop |
Cambodian PM to urge Obama to cancel "dirty" debt
Vietnam's mooncakes 'grease wheels of commerce'
IBM to buy analytics firm Netezza for $1.7 billion |
Seoul shares end slightly up in pre-holiday trade
Q+A-How China trade will help Taiwan retool its economy
Germany debating privacy with Google and peers |
PAKISTAN
NZ consumer confidence flat in Sept
New TV thriller Event a test of viewer patience |
Fashion world bids farewell to Alexander McQueen |
Lady Gaga, Katy Perry lead MTV Europe nominations |
King's Speech wins top Toronto film fest prize |
India seeks upgrades for BlackBerry monitoring: sources
Monsters sets standard for guerrilla filmmaking |
Germany debating privacy with Google and peers
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01