InfoAnda - Fraud group voids ballots from Afghan election

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

McChrystal tells Afghans U.S. not leaving yet | | 4 December 2009
Obama heads to NATO summit | 3 April 2009
EU warns Czechs about costs of treaty delays | 8 October 2009

West Japan Railway chief indicted over train disaster | 9 July 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Fraud group voids ballots from Afghan election

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Fraud group voids ballots from Afghan election By DOUGLAS BIRCH and JASON STRAZIUSO,Associated Press Writers AP - Friday, September 11 KABUL - A U.N.-backed fraud commission threw out votes from 83 polling stations and ordered recounts at hundreds of others in three provinces that form Afghan President Hamid Karzai's political base, reducing his chances of avoiding a runoff. ADVERTISEMENT The ruling Thursday was the first time the commission has flexed its muscles in the aftermath of an Aug. 20 presidential election marred by allegations of ballot stuffing, phantom polling stations and turnout at some polls that exceeded 100 percent of registered voters. In an interview with The Associated Press, Karzai's chief challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, charged that the massive scale of what he called "state-engineered" fraud has become clear only as the numbers have trickled out over the past three weeks. With results in from 92 percent of the country's polling stations, Karzai has 54 percent of the vote, according to the latest official count. That's enough to avoid a runoff election with Abdullah, who has 28 percent. But if the U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission invalidates enough votes, Karzai's margin could drop below 50 percent, forcing him to face Abdullah one-on-one in a second round of voting. Decisions by this fraud commission are final under Afghanistan's electoral law. The group _ comprised of one American, one Canadian, one Dutch, and two Afghans _ is releasing decisions from each province as investigations finish. On Thursday, the commission threw out ballots from 51 polling stations in Kandahar province, 27 in Ghazni and five in Paktika. Although it did not say how many ballots were invalidated, thousands are likely involved. It ordered election officials to recount votes in hundreds of other voting centers across the three districts in the presence of observers, commission members and representatives of the candidates. All three provinces are dominated by voters who, like Karzai, are ethnic Pashtuns and form the president's political base. The Karzai-appointed Independent Election Commission, which is conducting the count, says it has deducted questionable votes from its totals. But that commission's Web site still lists results from one polling center in the Kandahar city of Spin Boldak where Karzai received exactly 3,000 votes, 600 from each of the five polling stations. Statisticians say such uniform results are highly unlikely and evidence of fraud. "Of course there were fears and concerns about the possibility of fraud or rigging," Abdullah told the AP. "But ... when you investigate it, then you see that the whole thing was state-engineered and unfortunately in collaboration with the IEC (Independent Election Commission), in most cases." Abdullah said he expects that, once the fraudulent ballots are excluded, Karzai's margin will drop below 50 percent, triggering a runoff. There are about 770 polling states still being counted in Kandahar, according to the IEC Web site, meaning the 51 thrown out in the province represent about 5 percent of voting sites. But the fraud commission has ordered audits and recounts of every vote cast in three of Kandahar's province's 17 districts, as well as more than a dozen additional polling stations in Paktika and Ghazni. Investigators examined only a portion of the ballots in voting centers where there were complaints. In Kandahar's Shorabak District they examined 15 out of 41 polling stations. Officials found evidence of ballot stuffing in every one they looked at. In Spin Boldak, investigators found "clear and convincing evidence of ballot stuffing" in 17 of 27 polling stations checked, resulting in the invalidation of more than 6,000 ballots. The commission ordered a recount and audit of all the remaining 354 polling stations in the district. A top official with the IEC, the Karzai-appointed Afghan election commission, has said that recounting ballots at so many polling sites could take months. That raises the question of when a second-round election could even be held, given Afghanistan's harsh winters. Some Western officials have floated a national unity government led by Karzai as a way to ease the electoral crisis and avoid a potentially messy runoff. But Abdullah ruled out that possibility Thursday, telling the AP that he would not accept a position in a new Karzai government. "At this stage one has to focus on the credibility of the process and how to help the process survive," Abdullah said. "The process survives when the fraudulent results are taken out and ... the outcome is decided based on real results rather than fraudulent votes." Asked if that meant no, Abdullah loudly spelled out his response: "N-O." Throwing out ballots is a more severe step than ordering a recount, in which some or all votes could eventually be included in the count. The commission ordered an audit and recount countrywide of stations where turnout was at or above 100 percent, or where one candidate won more than 95 percent of the vote. The Washington-based National Democratic Institute said its analysis of results found large numbers of stations with more than 600 votes _ the maximum number of ballots they are supposed to receive _ in Nuristan, Paktia, Helmand and Badghis provinces, along with others. These areas were considered among the most dangerous places to vote, and anecdotal accounts of nearly empty polling stations suggested low voter turnout. Few international observers went to these areas because of security risks. Many voters are thought to have avoided the polls because of Taliban threats and attacks. Dozens of people were killed in rocket bombardments, bombings and polling station raids. ___ Associated Press reporter Heidi Vogt contributed to this report. ___ On the Net: The National Democratic Institute: http://www.ndi.org Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Asia Pacific North Korea makes new concession to South KoreaAFP - Friday, September 11 Zoo tiger kills one in Vietnam: officialAFP - Friday, September 11 Nine held over new Xinjiang attacks: state mediaAFP - Friday, September 11 UN urges Sri Lanka to free its staffAFP - Friday, September 11 Japan launches rocket carrying transport vehicleAP - Friday, September 11 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Greenspan says further financial crisis 'inevitable' Refurbished Hubble reveals cosmic wonder Giant statues reveal red hat secrets: study OPEC holds oil output unchanged: statement Anti-piracy equipment dazzles defence fair View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 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 Friday, 11 September 2009
Iraqi shoe thrower might drop TV, turn to activism
Sarkozy pushes ahead with unpopular carbon tax
US Copyright Office concerned by Google book settlement
Russia says Iran proposals something to work with | International |
US new jobless claims fall to 550,000
Kurds demand security after bomb kills 19 in Iraq
EU 'not prepared' to lift Zimbabwe sanctions
Google to share scanned books with rivals
200 missing in Sierra Leone boat tragedy
Venezuela's Chavez draws closer to Moscow | International |
Iran will not talk about nuclear work with powers
Japan to send first cargo spacecraft to ISS
Hariri gives up bid to form Lebanon unity government
22 killed in Iraq suicide truck bomb attack
Medvedev targets Russia's weaknesses, pledges change | International |
Afghan commission orders first ballots invalidated
Mexico hijacker is singing, gunslinging evangelical | International |
Motorola unveils Google phone, carrier deals | Technology |
China protests Dalai Lama, Uighur speeches
Stampede kills 5 students at New Delhi school
China tainted milk parents warned against meeting
Key U.S. lawmaker seeks changes to broadband rules | Technology |
AP NewsAlert
Vietnam, US launch health panel on Agent Orange
Report: Japan executes mentally ill prisoners
The first tailors? Researchers find ancient fiber
Coast Guard to harness tide for electric power
Australian PM: War crimes probe creates challenges
Yale student disappears days before wedding
Wash. mayor loses primary race on coin flip
China military village grooms prize parade troops
Afghanistan: Doubt grows over another distant war
Home sought for bison languishing in quarantine
White House cautiously optimistic on stimulus jobs
Ohio cheetah is fastest land mammal, at 36 mph
Mild El Nino continues, strengthening expected
Beatles set to dominate UK charts once again | Entertainment |
CORRECTED: Future, past useless at my age, says actor Sharif
Chinese govt to help finish Revel's AC casino
Chinese gov't to finance rest of Revel's AC casino
Group says Myanmar hid billions in gas revenues
European firms want 'level playing field' in China
Japan's Suntory in talks to buy Orangina
Ex-Morgan Stanley banker guilty of insider trading
Pope invites world artists to Sistine chapel
NY's Met museum reattributes painting to Velazquez
City of Berlin wins top Spanish award
Akin brings comedy to Venice with `Soul Kitchen'
Clean-up at The Met uncovers 'real' Velazquez
Top cable programs for Aug. 31-Sept. 6
Fatih Akin cooks up 'Soul Kitchen' for Venice filmfest
Cash-strapped US art owners hit the pawnshop
Megan Fox, U2 on `Saturday Night Live' opener
Bachelors in Nigerian city flee as 'hunter' goes on prowl
US dampens hopes Iran offer will revive nuke talks
Twitter expands rules to allow advertising
Iran offers talks, but not on its nuclear program | International |
Storms delay Discovery landing: NASA
Layoff fears as GM picks Canadian buyer for Opel
NY Times defends mission of kidnapped reporter
Polo's Rugby launches iPhone app for custom shirts
US trade gap widens on record leap in imports
Iran offers talks, but not on its nuclear program
Needle attacks and rumors spread in China's Xinjiang | International |
Key U.S. lawmaker seeks changes to broadband rules
Israelis want peace but won't be suckers
Ally of Iran's Mousavi detained: reformist website | International |
Motorola unveils Android-powered smartphone, the Cliq
22 killed in Iraq suicide truck bomb attack
Japan new PM may pick cabinet next week | International |
Google to share scanned books with rivals
Switzerland bans civil servants from using Facebook
Violence, accidents are killing world's youth: study | International |
Blogs are Cuba's free speech outlet: media rights group
Pakistani forces arrest Taliban spokesman in Swat | International |
Panasonic offers changes in Sanyo takeover: EU
US-TECH Summary
Yemeni tribes kidnap Russian doctor: official | International |
Motorola unveils Android-powered smartphone, the Cliq
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 746
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,343
Obama picks GOP Senate aide for CFTC commission
North Korea makes new concession to South Korea
Obama honors 2009 Stanley Cup champion Penguins
Zoo tiger kills one in Vietnam: official
Nine held over new Xinjiang attacks: state media
UN urges Sri Lanka to free its staff
ACORN fires 2 after hidden-camera footage aired
Needle attacks and rumours spread in China's Xinjiang
Motorola unveils Google phone to muted response | Technology |
Ex-managers: security firm cut corners at embassy
Japan launches rocket carrying transport vehicle
Twitter expands rules to allow advertising | Technology |
Bad weather forces space shuttle to skip landing
Chinese legislator warns against protectionism
US-China extend dialogue to cover counterterrorism
Wallaby win buoys All Blacks for crunch Test
Obama seeks new momentum on healthcare effort
Fraud group voids ballots from Afghan election
Suit claims Milwaukee police coerced witnesses
Perry: Ranger teams to go to Texas-Mexico border
Korea Hot Stocks
Taiwan dlr hits 3-mth high on foreign fund inflows
Japan revised 2Q growth weaker than initial data
Seoul shares hit 14-mth high; banks fuel gains
Japan revises down 2Q economic growth
Markets bump up end-2009 S.Korea rate outlook
Disney says no plans to bring back Jackson 3D film
S.Korean T-bonds extend dive on rate hike concern
Japan revises down 2Q GDP to 2.3 percent growth
DeGeneres: She'll be honest but kind on `Idol'
China to maintain stimulus push: Wen
Porn, fireworks, diamonds made with child labor: US
DeGeneres' Idol gig splits fans but brings buzz | Entertainment |
Venice film festival gives voice to Iranian opposition
Judge: Seinfeld book doesn't violate trademark
Seinfelds beat plagiarism, defamation claims in NY
La Toya Jackson says Michael was 'God-like'
Oprah talk show to get second airing on radio | Entertainment |
Jackson tribute to kick off MTV Music Video Awards
Gwen Stefani rocks the '80s at NY Fashion Week
Toronto film festival raises curtain on Creation | Entertainment |
Almost 40 million people in America live in poverty
Record labels sue over use of songs on Ellen show | Entertainment |
Paris Hilton's wisdom immortalized in book of quotes | Entertainment |
Seinfelds beat plagiarism, defamation claims in NY | Entertainment |
Disney says no plans to bring back Jackson 3D film | Entertainment |
Afghan vote delay may help Taliban, US warns
Britain apologises to WWII code-breaker hero
Iran leader issues stern warning to opposition | International |
Prisoners riot at Iraq's Abu Ghraib | International |
Iran to 'confront' opposition groups: Khamenei
Washington sceptical over Iran nuclear talks offer
Iran's supreme leader warns opposition in sermon
Controversy deepens over Afghan hostage rescue
Russia's Putin says not yet decided on 2012 election | International |
Prisoners start fire, riot at Iraq's Abu Ghraib
Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon, no casualties | International |
Taliban could benefit from Afghan vote delay: US
China opposes Dalai Lama trip to disputed India state | International |
Britain says has major concerns about Afghan vote | International |
Nearly 10,000 Sri Lanka war refugees go home | International |
Riots rock Uganda capital for second day, 3 killed | International |
Motorola unveils Cliq, the Android-powered smartphone
Taiwan ex-president gets life for corruption
China says swine flu spreading inland
Studies: 1 dose of swine flu vaccine works
Career milestones of former Taiwanese president
Harvard's endowment drops sharply amid recession
Obama observing moment of silence for 9/11 victims
Survey: Dioxin levels high in Vietnam near US base
Students burn midnight oil at Boston college
US troops in Afghanistan run to remember 9/11
NATO: 2 service members killed in Afghanistan
The Nation's weather
Health negotiators look at malpractice changes
Taiwan's ex-president jailed for life over graft
2 Malaysia air force pilots killed in runway crash
Japan sends first cargo spacecraft to ISS
Census '10 puts states, groups in campaign mode
Timeline for the 2010 census
State-by-state breakdown of census response rates
Paris Hilton's wisdom immortalized in book of quotes
Oprah talk show to get second airing on radio
Japan's economic growth revised down
China banks lend $1bln to S.Africa's Standard Bank
Pakistani stocks end higher; rupee weakens
Foreign porn makers slam SKorea over discrimation
Japan stocks fall on weak dollar
Seoul shares gain 0.4 pct led by banks, retailers =2
Iranian street protests hit big screen in Venice
TABLE-Foreign trading in Taiwan stocks
Egypt Ramadan TV serials look to stir patriotism
Jet Airways in talks to end 'sick leave' strike
End of a textile era as Jacquard loom closes
China new loans rebound in August: central bank
Bacall, Corman, Willis to get honorary Oscars
Paris Hilton's wisdom immortalized in book of quotes
Organizers cancel Jackson Vienna tribute concert | Entertainment |
Oprah talk show to get second airing on radio
U.S. comedy, Israeli war movie lead race in Venice | Entertainment |
Dunne eulogized in NY as great dad, friend, gossip
Iranian street protests hit big screen in Venice | Entertainment |
Record labels sue over use of songs on "Ellen" show
Terrified Tom Ford launches debut film in Venice | Entertainment |
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		BlogMeter 1.01