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Home , Abdul Jabbar Naeemi, Abdul Latif Ibrahimi, Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, Mata Khan District, Shinwari District, Zalmai Aziz

Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Special Election Day Coverage Newsletter, June 14

Afghan take another step toward peace: Karzai By Abaseen Zaheer Jun 14, 2014 - 08:41 Ballot for presidential election formally begins (Pajhwok): President and his 2nd By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 07:16 Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili on Saturday exercised their voting right in the landmark presidential KABUL (Pajhwok): Chairman of the Independent Election election, asking people to vote for a candidate of their Commission (IEC) has exercised his vote right as ballot choice. The voting process formally started at 7:00am. process formally started at 7:00 am on Saturday “Today, Afghans are taking yet another step toward peace, throughout the country. progress and stability,” Karzai told reporters after casting Mohammad Yusuf Nuristani casts his ballot, which his vote. formally kicked off the democratic process. Long queues Ineligible to run for a third term, he urged people to cast of voters are seen waiting for their turn in the capital votes in large number to put the country on the road to Kabul. development and self-reliance. According to IEC, around 12 million eligible voters would People’s participation in the democratic exercise could exercise their right to vote in 6,365 polling stations. At pave the ground for prosperity of the next generation, he least 400,000 security personnel had been deployed to added. ensure stringent security measures for the ballot. Khalili also exercised his right at the Habibia High School. For the last several elections, 21 million people in the After casting his vote, he asked the masses to take part in country obtained their voter cards, with four million of the election for the sake of peace and stability in the them obtained voter cards in this election. country. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/ballot-presidential- Chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) election-formally-begins formally opened the voting process by casting his ballot. Frontrunners Dr. and Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ghor residents wait in long queues Ahmadzai are contesting the runoff ballot. By Mohammad Hassan Hakimi Jun 14, 2014 - 07:44 http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/afghan-take-another- FIROZKOH (Pajhwok): Hundreds of voters, including step-toward-peace-karzai women, queued up in front of polling stations in western 16 Nangarhar, Logar polling centres remain closed two hours before the voting process got By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jun 14, 2014 - 08:51 under way.Two hundred voters lined up in front of a polling station at the Allauddin High School at 05:00am to /PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): The Independent cast their votes. Abdul Rahman, 30, arrived at the site two Election Commission (IEC) in eastern Nangarhar and hours earlier. Nasrin, 25, said she had reached the site to central Logar provinces said on Saturday around ten and convey a message to everyone that she was here to cast the six polling stations were closed due to security vote. She hoped the next government would take steps to concerns.During the runoff ballot, a total of 393 polling prevent violence against women. stations were scheduled to be opened. http://www.pajhwok.com Page 1 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af

Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter

However, IEC Director Khwaja Aminullah Fazli said that Nuristani exercised his voting right as the process formally 383 centres had been opened. got under way at 7:00am. Speaking to reporters, he asked Security forces pledged to strive to keep the ten polling the people to participate in the democratic exercise and centres opened on the Election Day, which were located demonstrate the level of enthusiasm they did in the first in Hisarak, , Pacheragam and Chaparhar districts. round. Brig. Gen. Fazl Ahmad Sherzad, provincial police chief, “My message to all eligible voters is: cast your votes and confirmed closure of ten centers but said that efforts were challenge the enemies of this way,” he said, on to open the centers. praising the security forces for the tight measures In Logar,IEC Director Dr. Niamatullah Wardak said six throughout the country. polling centres had to be shut down because security He said a total of 6,365 polling centres, with 23,000 polling could not be ensured to these centres. As many as 77 stations were opened today in the country and the IEC had polling centres were due to be opened but three of them transferred enough ballot papers to facilitate all eligible in Kharwar, Charkh and Azara districts had to be closed. voters. Brig. Gen. Abdul Halim Ishaqzai, provincial police chief, Keeping in view the experience of the April 5 ballot, this confirmed closure of the polling centres in three districts. time the process would be more transparent. If any IEC official or staff found involved in election affairs in favour of any candidate then tough action would be taken against him, he warned. On alleged reports of ballot stuffing in Paktika, he said: “We have heard about ballot stuffing in . We are confirming the ground reports.” Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani were the leading candidates contested in the second round of elections. The final result of the election is set to be announced on July 22. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/nuristani-urges-people- vote-defy-threats

Jawzjan, Faryab residents vote amid storms By Muhammad Jan Tamkeen Jun 14, 2014 - 09:57 Kunar security for polling sites satisfactory By Khan Wali Salarzai Jun 14, 2014 - 09:02 JAWZJAN/MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Amid heavy dust and ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Governor Shuja-ul-Mulk Jalala windstorms, greater enthusiasm was seen among voters said on Saturday that the voting process was underway queuing up in northern Jawzjan and Faryab provinces on smoothly in eastern without any security Saturday. The process kicked off at 7:00 am throughout the concern. country. Even before the start of the voting, people were He told Pajhwok Afghan News a rocket was fired into seen standing in long queues outside polling stations to cast Asadabad City, the provincial capital, early in the ballot. Tens of men and women in Jawzjan and Faryab morning as the voting process kicked off but the attack provinces were casting their vote. caused no loss. Abdul Wahab 23, a voter, told Pajhwok Afghan News: He said there were satisfactory reports regarding security “Despite heavy windstorm, I came to exercise my vote situation in the districts and no untoward incident took right.” People dared security threats and voted, saying that place as of yet. they would vote by defying all challenges. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/kunar-security- Heavy wind collapsed many billboards and signboards in polling-sites-satisfactory Jawzjan province, but people were participating with zeal in the process by queuing up outside the polling stations. Nuristani urges people to vote, defy threats Sultan Aziz, another voter said: “People now understand By Muhammad Hassan Khitab Jun 14, 2014 - 09:40 the importance of vote that’s why I am here to cast my ballot.” KABUL (Pajhwok): , the Separately, in Kunduz and Daikundi provinces, the polling Independent Election Commission (IEC) chairman, on stations were opened on time with a slow voting process in Saturday asked all eligible voters to stream to polling the beginning. But gradually long lines of voters were seen stations and cast ballots, defying threats of violence. waiting for their turn in front of polling centres.

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6 injured in Faryab, Baghlan explosions Hafizullah, a resident of Lashkargah, the provincial capital, Habibur Rahman Sherzai Jun 14, 2014 - 10:31 said after casting his vote: “It is a matter of pleasure for me that voting is ongoing in a peaceful environment.” MAIMANA/PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Six people, Lutfullah Garmser, the director of the National Directorate including two policemen, were wounded in two separate of Security (NDS), said Afghan forces were working in explosions in northern Faryab and Baghlan provinces on coordination to thwart any untoward incident. Saturday, officials said. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/helmand- Four people wounded in a bomb blast at a polling station governor-expects-higher-turnout in Maimana, the provincial capital of Faryab while two police officials suffered injuries when they were on their way to a polling station in Pul-i-khumri, provincial capital of northern . Col. Mohammad Naeem Andarabi, provincial security chief in Faryab, told Pajhwok Afghan News a remote-controlled bomb exploded at 8:30am some 20 metres away from a polling centre, leaving a crime branch police and three voters wounded. But Tughrel Baig, a voter, said three policemen and a voter wounded in the explosion. However, the blast did not cause delay in voting process with the voters chanting: “Explosions and suicide attacks by enemies won’t stop us to vote.” Separately, a police patrol party struck a roadside bomb in Baghlan, which left three policemen wounded. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/6-injured-faryab- baghlan-explosions Abdullah wants IEC to foil rigging bids By Hassan Khitab Jun 14, 2014 - 11:01 KABUL (PAJHWOK): Presidential hopeful Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday cast his vote along with his team, urging the people to come out and exercise their franchise for a bright tomorrow. Abdullah’s deputies Eng. Mohammad Khan and Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq cast their votes at the Estiqlal High School in Kabul. The frontrunner asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to thwart rigging attempts. The security forces and government officials should stay neutral to ensure transparency in the democratic exercise, he added. Helmand governor expects higher turnout Failed presidential contender , who By Shams Jalal Jun 14, 2014 - 10:55 announced his support to Abdullah, accompanied him. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/abdullah-wants- LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Governor of southern iec - foil-rigging-bids Gen. Mohammad Naeem said on Ballot stuffing alleged in parts of Saturday the voter turnout would be higher in the runoff By Zabihullah Ehsas Jun 14, 2014 - 11:04 election than the first round of April 5. He told Pajhwok Afghan News polling began at 7:00 am MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Independent Election and people started thronging polling sites. Commission (IEC) on Saturday said it had received reports Qudratullah Naqshbandi, the Independent Election about ballot-stuffing in some parts of northern Balkh Commission (IEC) director, said around 147 polling sites province. had opened and people could exercise their right to Balkh IEC chief Izzatullah Arman told journalists reports franchise. about fraud had been received from Dehdadi district,

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter where an election worker was forcing people to vote for a specific candidate. He added the worker was immediately removed from his position after reports of his interference were shared with the IEC. Irregularities were also alleged in Zari and Kashandi districts, as well as Mazar-I-Sharif, the provincial capital. Arman added attempts at fraud had been foiled in other areas, where irregularities had happened in the first round. Five polling stations were closed due to high security threats. Pajhwok Afghan News also obtained a video clip, showing a women polling station’s presiding officer in Abdullah’s pamphlets distributed in Daikundi Jalaluddin Balkhi School encouraging females to vote for By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 11:32 a specific candidate. Regional IEC officials said the polling process was going NEILI (Pajhwok): Some individuals distributed pamphlets on well and there were no any security incidents so far. bearing pictures of presidential runner Dr. Abdullah http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/ballot-stuffing-alleged- Abdullah and Mohammad Mohaqiq inside two polling parts-balkh centres in central Daikundi province. A resident of Neili, wishing anonymity, said a number of Anomalies reported in Kabul, Nangarhar young men and women were asking people to vote in By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 11:29 favour of the reforms and unanimity team and handed them KABUL/JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A polling centre was the pamphlets of Abdullah. closed for unknown reasons in the Pul-i-Charkhi Khan Ali, an observer of Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, raised neighborhood of Kabul, where reporters and observers objections to the move by Abdullah’s supporters and called were not permitted to visit another polling site. it a violation of the election law. He said the individuals A resident of the area, Dr. Ajmal, said the polling centre were expelled from the polling sites but they continued in Spin Jumat opened at 7am, but was closed two hours campaigning outside. later. He added there were many people waiting in Separately, a local warlord Ali Gul entered a polling station queues. Another resident, who did not want to be named, in Daikundi and used abusive language against Ashraf said that parliamentarian Allah Gul Mujahid’s brother had Ghani Ahmadzai. entered the centre along with armed supporters and closed Reporters said Gul was chanting against Ahmadzai inside it. The MP supports Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. the polling station. He threatened people to vote Dr. At another polling centre, reporters and observers were Abdullah or be ready for dire consequences. not allowed to enter the site in the Senator Janat Khan http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/abdullah%E2% Tarakhel area. The Pajhwok report saw armed people in 80%99s-pamphlets-distributed-daikundi plainclothes. Qahar, an observer of Dr. Abdullah, claimed that he was beaten by armed individuals and his car was damaged “In the morning I heard a blast, I came out, but on return to the centre, I was not allowed and beaten up and my car glasses were broken.” In eastern , Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel filled ballot boxes in favour of a candidate in Khewa district. Police officer Khwaja Aminullah Fazli told Pajhwok Afghan News they had received reports of ALP involvement in ballot stuffing. He said security officials had been informed about the incident. Ahmadullah, an observer, said police did not let people enter the polling station and began ballot stuffing at Dand mosque and a clinic in the area. A police official confirmed problems in Khewa district. He said a former commander, Gul Karim, forced people to give him their voting cards. Ahmadzai to Abdullah: Accept election results By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 11:50

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KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential contender Dr. Ashraf he would warmly congratulate Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Ghani Ahmadzai has asked his rival Dr. Abdullah if he won the ballot in a fair and transparent way. Abdullah to accept election results as a verdict of the Voting in the runoff presidential election formally got nation. under way at 7:00am, which will last till 4:00pm. Noor cast After casting his vote, Ahmadzai told reporters he his vote at the Fatima Balkhi High School in expected a landslide in the runoff. He would accept the Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh. outcome but at the same time he expected Abdullah to Speaking to journalists, he said: “If the nation votes respect the nation’s choice. Ahmadzai into power in a fair way, then I will congratulate “Based on the constitution, a transparent election is him.” However, he ruled out accepting any assignment if mandatory and we always obey the law. I want Dr. Ahmadzai was elected as president. Abdullah to accept the results of today’s ballot,” he “If Ahmadzai wins, he can rule along with his team but we added. will not be part of his government,” he noted, asking the The former World Bank economist said: “We represent electoral bodies to discharge their duties and counter fraud the nation and go by people’s choice. God willing, people attempts. will endorse us today. Our commitment is that we will He said the election process was going well and he had no serve the nation.” report of any untoward incident. He said five polling sites Ahmadzai asked people to participate in the election in had been closed due to recent flash floods in the province the interest of the country’s bright future. Ballots, not but those centres were reopened. bullets, would set the future direction of the country, he Official of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) concluded. said the five polling centres had to be closed because of http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/ahmadzai- interference from warlords and insecurity. abdullah-accept-election-results 6 rebels eliminated, 3 wounded in Logar Polling station runs out of ballot papers By Abdul Maqsood Azizi Jun 14, 2014 - 12:53 By Bashir Ahmad Naadem Jun 14, 2014 - 11:59 PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Security forces killed six KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Ballot papers were insurgents and wounded three others planning to mount exhausted at a polling station in southern Kandahar City attacks on a polling station in central on hours after the voting process began here at 7am on Saturday. Saturday. Eng. Muhammad Rahim Amin, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) provincial head chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News Afghan the security Abdul Hadi Dawari said, all polling centres had opened in forces fired artillery shells at the militants, leaving six of Kandahar and the voting process was ongoing. them dead and three wounded. But tens of residents of the second municipality district All polling centres had opened in the district, where no said they were kept waiting at the Zarghona Ana High security incident had been reported yet, the district chief School. Election workers said they had run out of ballot said. papers. Abdul Hamid Hamid, the administrative chief of Ahmadullah, a voter, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I have , said the election was underway been waiting for half an hour in the hot weather, but they in a peaceful environment. The voting was gaining said ballot papers are finished. momentum with time, he added. “If they don’t bring ballot papers soon, we will return Officials said the turnout seemed higher than the last round. home,” another voter said, as a number of people started Roughly 40,000 people cast their vote in the April 5 ballot. returning. Election officials said they had reported the Six of 77 polling centres were closed in Logar province due issue to the provincial headquarters. to security concerns. Kandahar IEC head Dawari said the centre was for http://www.pajhwok.com/en/ 2014/06/14/6-rebels- women, and they could not send more ballot papers there. eliminated-3-wounded-logar http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/polling-station- runs-out-ballot-papers Abdullah backers gun down Ahmadzai fans By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jun 14, 2014 - 12:55 Noor to greet Ahmadzai if he wins By Zabihullah Ihsas Jun 14, 2014 - 12:05 JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Frontrunner Dr. Abdullah Abdullah’s supporters fired at Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai’s MAZAR-E-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Governor of northern backers in Jalalabad on Saturday, killing two and injuring a Atta Mohammad Noor said on Saturday third.

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The shooting occurred in Qasba area, where fans were An election observer at the polling site, wishing not to be chanting slogans in Ahmadzai’s support, his campaign named, said no armed person should enter a polling site. manager Haji Nasrat Arsala told Pajhwok Afghan News. But a local security official said the security station was not He accused bodyguards of parliamentarian Eng. Ghaffar good and they should be inside the polling station to deal of firing at Ahmadzai’s fans and wounding three of them with any possible threat. critically. An elderly man, Abdul Saboor, who cast his vote at the Nangarhar Civil Hospital Director Humayun Zaheer polling centre, said election officials should not let any confirmed receiving the three wounded people from armed men in. Qasba. Two of them later succumbed to their injuries, he http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/gunmen-seen- said, adding one man was under medical care. inside-kabul-polling-centre After the incident, confirmed by the provincial police, dozens of people protested in front of the residence of the Nonagenarian votes to discharge his duty Wolesi Jirga member. They shouted slogans denouncing By Gul Mohammad Tanha Jun 14, 2014 - 13:01 Eng. Ghaffar. FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): A 94-year-old man, after casting his vote in northeastern , said on Saturday he considered franchise as a national responsibility. Makhdoom Niamatullah reached a polling station at a school in Shahr-i-Kohna area of Faizabad with the help of his grandson to vote. He had also cast his ballot in the April 5 elections. A large number of people queuing up for their turn offered Makhdoom to come forward and cast his vote. “Voting is my right and I cast the ballot in favour of Dr. Abdullah,” he said. The nonagenarian urged his countrymen to participate in the nation-building process. He asked the next president to Gunmen seen inside Kabul polling centre ensure security and create job opportunities for youth. By Azizullah Hamdard Jun 14, 2014 - 12:57 http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/nonagenarian- votes-discharge-his-duty KABUL (Pajhwok): Voters in the Mir Bacha of central on Saturday said they were con- cerned about the entry of illegal armed men and security officials into a polling centre. A Pajhwok Afghan News reporter, who visited the Duko High School polling centre in the district, said people were worried about the presence of armed men inside the polling site. A teacher at the high school, Hidayat Mukhlis, said he was satisfied with the voting process but the entry of ille- gal armed men and security personnel into the polling station made him worried. Three armed were seen inside the polling site and one of In Khost, polling and dance go together them was checking people and the two others were stand- By Mohammad Haroon Jun 14, 2014 - 13:58 ing beside ballot boxes. The entry of armed men into polling stations is illegal. All KHOST (Pajhwok): Youth on Saturday thronged many security forces should stay 100 metres away from voting polling centres, dancing to drumbeats in southeastern Khost centers. province, where all polling sites open. The voting process in The Pajhwok reporter was threatened by armed men after Khost kicked off at around 7:00 am, with provincial he tried to capture a photo of the scene. officials claiming the turnout was massive.Eid Gul, a resi- Another two armed men inside the polling station did not dent of Khost City, said he had voted in the larger interest respond when asked why they had entered. of his country and hoped his vote would not be misused.

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He told Pajhwok Afghan News: “We wish this round is Tallying of votes begins in Chaparhar more transparent than the first round and our ballots end By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jun 14, 2014 - 14:33 up in safe hands and not tampered with.” Another resident, Mohammad Zaman, said he was very JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Counting of votes began five happy that Afghanistan was observing a historic peaceful hours ahead of the official closing time in the Chaparhar transfer of power from one elected president to another. district of eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday, an “We braved bomb attacks and other threats to exercise our official said. constitutional right so we hope people’s votes are An Independent Election Commission (IEC) observer in respected,” he said. Chaparhar told Pajhwok Afghan News powerful individuals Governor cast his vote at the had stuffed some ballot boxes in favour of their presidential provincial Labour and Social Affairs Department in the candidate last night. morning. He said all polling centres were open across the The remaining ballot boxes were filled by voters until province and there was no security threat. afternoon and thus counting of votes began, he said, but The governor said the turnout was more satisfactory than wished anonymity. the previous round in far-flung districts. But Khwaja Aminullah Fazli, IEC head in Nangarhar, said All 186 polling centres set up across Khost would stay they were unaware of the incident, which would be open, security officials said. investigated. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/khost-polling- http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/tallying-votes- and-dance-go-together begins-chaparhar

Greshk police chief accused of rigging By Shams Jalal Jun 14, 2014 - 14:38 LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) director in southern Helmand province alleged the police chief for Greshk district was involved in massive rigging for Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Qudratullah Naqshbandi accused Lt. Hikmatullah Haqmal of bringing voters in vehicles and directing them to cast their ballots for Abdullah. He snatched ballot papers without inking their fingers, Naqshbandi told Pajhwok Af- ghan News. Without giving further details, the director claimed a number of women were found involved in fraud. 5 children dead in Khost rocket strike IEC Spokesman Shafiqullah Safi said Haqmal was involved By Mohammad Haroon Jun 14, 2014 - 14:23 in fraud with the connivance of his father Malim Mir Wali, a member of the lower house. KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): On Election Day, five children Provincial police spokesman Col. Abdul Ahad Chopan were killed and 17 others, including women, wounded confirmed receiving complaints against the Greshk police when insurgents fired a barrage of rockets into the Alisher chief. He said police had been directed to stop the practice district of southeastern , locals said. forthwith. Haji Turab Khan, a local elder, told Pajhwok Afghan http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/greshk-police- News two rockets landed inside a home in the Babrak chief-accused-rigging Tani area on the outskirts of the district. Several people were killed and wounded in the first attack. 24 complaints registered so far: IECC When people rushed to the site, another rocket was fired, By Abasin Zaheer Jun 14, 2014 - 15:00 causing more casualties. Some of the injured were taken to for treatment while the slightly wounded were KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints transferred to a local hospital. Commission (IECC) on Saturday said it had formally The elder said polling stations were far from the area received 24 complaints about fraud and other irregularities which came under rocket attack. so far. Voting in the runoff presidential election began at 7am amid tight security measures and will continue until 4pam.

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IECC spokesman Nadir Mohseni told reporters at 11:30am that they had so far registered 24 complaints. He said the watchdog and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) had signed an agreement on availability of special forms for registering complaints at polling centres. He said under the agreement, the IEC was bound to make available the forms and distribute them to people who wanted to register complaints. Mohseni said they would access all the complaints, but these objections should have photos and videos proving authenticity of the allegations. He said people could register their complaints against candidates, observers, IEC staff and others who they believed had committed fraud. One polling site stays shut in Nuristan He also said IECC officials had received hundreds of By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 15:11 complaints via the telephone but these complaints had not been registered because they were only meant at sharing PARON (Pajhwok): Only one of the 37 polling centres information with the watchdog. across eastern remained closed on Mohseni said some complainants claimed the indelible Saturday, thanks to people’s cooperation with the ink was easy to be removed and others accused authorities, the governor said. government officials and powerful individuals of Residents had assisted the Independent Election interference in the electoral process. There were also Commission (IEC) in transferring electoral materials to complaints about ballot papers’ shortages, he said. polling sites, Hafiz Abdul Qayyum told Pajhwok Afghan “The shortage of ballot papers before noon is News after casting his vote at a polling centre in Paroon, the unacceptable,” said Mohseni, who added people could provincial capital. register their complaints in Kabul and provinces until 48 The governor urged the masses to exercise their hours beyond the voting time had finished. constitutional right in the crucial and decisive phase of He urged all election observers to stay at polling centres presidential election. He said the voting process in Nuristan until the vote casting and tallying process was ended in was smoothly underway and so far no untoward incident had order to ensure transparency. been reported from any part of the province. No one has the right to stop someone from taking pictures However, IEC head in Nuristan Izzatullah Halim said a and filming videos inside polling centres and those doing polling centre in the Waigal district could not be open due to so would be booked, warned Mohseni. insecurity and failure to transfer election materials. He said the IECC was trying to assess all the complaints In the April 5 elections, he said, about 70,000 people had in the stipulated time, but change in the timeline would cast their votes in Nuristan, where the turnout seemed to be mean ensuring transparency and justice. more widespread this time. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/24-complaints- http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/one-polling-site- registered-so-far-iecc stays-shut-nuristan

IEC staff blamed for massive rigging in Bamyan One polling site stays shut in Nuristan By Hadi Ghafari Jun 14, 2014 - 15:06 By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 15:11

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): A number of Independent PARON (Pajhwok): Only one of the 37 polling centres Election Commission (IEC) employees in central Bamyan across eastern Nuristan province remained closed on province were accused of seeking votes for a particular Saturday, thanks to people’s cooperation with the candidate. Voters said the IEC staff in Lalakhel area on authorities, the governor said. Residents had assisted the the outskirts of provincial capital was forcing voters at Independent Election Commission (IEC) in transferring polling sites to cast their ballots for a certain candidate. electoral materials to polling sites, Hafiz Abdul Qayyum Photos taken by Pajhwok reinforce the claims. told Pajhwok Afghan News after casting his vote at a Mohammad Ali, a voter in the locality, said: “An IEC polling centre in Paroon, the provincial capital. employee told me to vote for a particular candidate but I cast my vote in favour of my own choice.”

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The governor urged the masses to exercise their Another election observer, Sultan Reza, said ballot papers constitutional right in the crucial and decisive phase of finished at five polling sites in Bamyan City, the capital of presidential election. He said the voting process in Bamyan, and one in Waris district. He asked the IEC to Nuristan was smoothly underway and so far no untoward transfer more ballot papers to the polling stations. incident had been reported from any part of the province. But the governor’s spokesman, Abdur Rahman, said However, IEC head in Nuristan Izzatullah Halim said a transferring ballot papers to Waris district through the land polling centre in the Waigal district could not be open due was impossible because of the time factor. to insecurity and failure to transfer election materials. Separately, many polling stations in the Misrabad area of In the April 5 elections, he said, about 70,000 people had Shiberghan, the capital of Jawzjan province, also ran out of cast their votes in Nuristan, where the turnout seemed to ballot papers. be more widespread this time. A voter in Misrabad area, Mohammad Ismail, said: “I have http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/one-polling-site- been waiting for hours to cast my vote, but ballot papers stays-shut-nuristan finished when I reached my turn.” If additional ballot papers were not delivered soon to the Countrywide polling continues smoothly polling stations, many people would be deprived of their By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 15:21 voting right, he warned. But the provincial IEC chief, Mohammad Aman Faryabi, KABUL (Pajhwok): No major security incident has been promised more ballot papers would be delivered soon to the reported as voting continues smoothly across the country, sites. the deputy minister of interior said on Saturday. Similarly, ballot papers exhausted at a polling station in But some polling sites in Kabul, Kandahar, Jawzjan, southern Kandahar City hours after the voting process Badakhshan and Bamyan provinces experienced shortages began here at 7am on Saturday. of ballot papers. Tens of residents of the second municipality district said The polling process, which formally got under way at they were kept waiting at the Zarghona Ana High School. 7:00am, will end till 4:00pm. Millions of voters are Election workers said they had run out of ballot papers. expected to exercise their franchise during the runoff Ahmadullah, a voter, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I have election. been waiting for half an hour in the hot weather, but they Deputy Minister Ayub Salangi said the voting process had said ballot papers are finished. been underway peacefully in all provinces, including the “If they don’t bring ballot papers soon, we will return capital Kabul. home,” another voter said, as a number of people started No major incident of violence has been reported from any returning. Election officials said they had reported the issue province, according to Salangi, who acknowledged to the provincial headquarters. complaints about shortages of ballot papers. A numbers of polling sites in Faizabad, the capital of http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/countrywide- Badakhshan and three districts also encountered a shortage polling-continues-smoothly of ballot papers. Maulvi Khudam, an observer at Saif Shahid High School Ballot paper shortages hit several provinces polling station on the outskirts of Faizabad, said the site By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 15:25 faced a shortage of ballot papers around 9:30am, but IEC KABUL (Pajhwok): Some polling stations in Bamyan, officers addressed the issue. Jawzjan, Kandahar, Kabul and Badakhshan provinces ran Regional IEC chief Mohammad Rassoul Omar said three out of ballot papers, creating concerns among voters. polling sites in Kasham, Tishkan and Yaftal district faced a Koh Mard district chief in Badakhshan, Hadi Saighani, similar problem but the authorities moved swiftly to resolve told Pajhwok Afghan News that four polling stations in it. the town lacked ballot papers. He hopped more ballot In Kabul, a Pajhwok Afghan News reporter said ballot papers would reach the polling stations soon. papers were exhausted at several sites two hours after the Bamyan Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief voting process began at 7am. Aziz Ahmad Rassouli said they would soon transfer more An observer for the presidential candidate, Dr Abdullah ballot papers to the polling stations. A women’s polling Abdullah, said ballot papers finished around 9:30am at the station in Karta-i-Sulh area of also Qabil Bai High School in the ninth police district of Kabul. experienced a shortage of ballot papers but the commis- He added the school housed one female and three male sion delivered reserved papers to the area. polling stations, where men and women waited till 12pm.

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KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday announced an end to the voting in the runoff presidential ballot. IEC Secretariat Ziaul Haq Amarkhel told a news conference in Kabul the voting process that began at 7:00am and was completed at 4:00 pm. He said the election process had been completed successfully. But the people still waiting at some polling centres will be allowed to cast votes. Amarkhel acknowledged some problems such as shortages of ballot papers were experienced in certain areas. But immediate steps were taken to resolve the problems. Ballot paper problem resolved in time: IEC chief The IEC secretary added they did not extend the voting time By Hasan Khitab Jun 14, 2014 - 16:11 because of good weather conditions. He explained they would give details about the closure of KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election 120 polling centres. Commission (IEC) on Saturday confirmed shortages of http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/9-hour-voting- ballot papers at 333 polling stations in different provinces, runoff-election-ends but the problem was resolved soon. Media outlets accused of violating law IEC Chairman Mohammad Yusuf Nuristani told a news By Abaseen Zaheer Jun 14, 2014 - 16:49 conference in Kabul that the requisite materials had been delivered to all polling sites across the country and the KABUL (Pajhwok): The Election Media Commission on voting process continued smoothly. Saturday said a number of news organisations did a good Eligible voters are exercising their franchise at 6,204 job during the silence period, campaigned for a particular polling stations, according to the chairman, who said they candidate on the voting day. lacked information about voting at 40 sites due to their The silence period started at the end of the election distant locations and lack of communications. campaign and 48 hours ahead of the voting process. No one Nuristani said reports about lack of ballot papers and ink reserved the right to campaign during the period. were received from 333 polling stations in big cities until Speaking to journalists, Election Media Commission deputy 1:30pm. The panel reacted quickly to supply the necessary head Hashmatullah Radfar said a number of news outlets materials in time. campaigned for one particular candidate. A commission tasked with investigating such incidents He did not name the outlets, but said they would be had confirmed the exhaustion of ink at some polling sites, prosecuted under the media law. he added, expressing satisfaction with the voting process. The media reported on rigging and security incidents that People understood the importance of the election, he said, led to a lower turnout, Radfar said, insisting the outlets praising the role of security forces. He said rigging would should have avoided reporting on explosions and militant not be tolerated, warning IEC employees found involved attacks. in fraud would be referred for prosecution. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/media-outlets- accused-violating-law Parwan polling sites open amid rigging reports By Farid Tanha Jun 14, 2014 - 16:52

CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): Amid sporadic violence during the voting process, rigging attempts were reported in several parts of central , an official has said on Saturday. A lower voter turnout was expected than the April 5 elections, said, Abdul Qadir Wahab Sapi, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) director for Parwan. Some individuals were accused of massive rigging 9-hour voting in runoff election ends in Kohi Sapi, Siahgard and districts, he said, By Hassan Khitab Jun 14, 2014 - 16:41 adding IEC officials at one polling station received threats from certain individuals.

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‘Indelible ink’ faded on first wash: Voters By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 17:38 KABUL (Pajhwok): Tall claims by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) about curbing bogus voting through “indelible ink” fell flat on Saturday when many residents claimed the ink faded on the very first wash. Inferior quality ink was used at three polling sites in Kabul. Qaribullah, who cast his vote at the Bibi Mehro Mosque polling centre, told Pajhwok Afghan News after 10 minutes, he washed his hands and there was no sign of colour on his finger. Eng. Faiz Mohammad, another voter, confirmed the ink Ballots cast in Kabul amid blasts, low turnout was removed from his finger easily on the first wash. “I By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 17:23 voted at 8am. When I washed my hands, my finger was cleaned. I shared the issue with election officials, but they KABUL (Pajhwok): The voting process went well in most said your finger will turn black later.” parts of Kabul, but the turnout in some areas was lower But no black stain appeared on his finger and no one could than the previous elections. prove that he had already voted. “If someone wants to Violations repeatedly vote, the can,” Faiz Mohammad said. A Pajhwok report wanted to visit a polling centre at the Hazrat Azizyar, another voter whose finger was cleaned Qala-i-Zaman Khan Girls High School in the jurisdiction after hand wash, said the problem could lead to rigging. No of 16th police district, but officials did not let her enter one at the relevant polling stations answered calls seeking the site. comments in this regard. When the reporter tried to interview a female voter out- Earlier in the day, IEC chairman Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani side the polling station, the presiding officer, Mohammad told a press conference they had received some complaints Qurban, intervened and said reporters had no right to in- about the lasting power of the indelible ink. terview voters in the vicinity. However, after an investigation, he said, none of the He also warned the girl that she risked her life by giving complaints could be proven. With the passage of time, the such interviews. Qurban did not elaborate how she would ink applied to fingers would become darker, he said. risk her life, but said he was just following orders from high-ups. The election law says journalists shall not be barred from covering the electoral process. Elsewhere in Kabul province, illegal armed men and secu- rity personnel were seen inside a polling station set up at a high school for boys in Daku area of Mir Bacha Kot dis- trict. However, the election law bans security forces and com- mon people from entering polling stations with guns. The polling station head, who wished anonymity, said armed individuals should not be allowed entry into poll- ing station. But a security official at the site said: “the security situa- Elderly woman votes for a better tomorrow tion is not good and there is need to have security men By Pajhwok reporter Jun 14, 2014 - 17:47 inside the polling station.” Journalists and observers were not allowed entry into a NEILI (Pajhwok): An elderly woman travelled for miles to polling station in the Pul-i-Charkhi area for unknown rea- cast her vote at a polling station in Neili, the capital of sons. Daikundi province, saying she wanted the new president to The station’s in-charge said they had to briefly suspend ensure peace, progress and prosperity. The woman, who voting after security officials attempted to shift the site to was brought on a donkey to cast her vote, expected the new another location but faced with resistance from voters. president would establish schools for the coming generation.

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Saraee, 50, arrived at the polling station amid scorch- Badghis witnesses lower voter turnout ing heat as her village has no paved road. She said: “I By Abdul Latif Ayubi Jun 14, 2014 - 18:51 underwent difficulties for the sole purpose to vote for QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): The turnout in the runoff a candidate who can steer the country out of crisis.” election was lower than the first round due to security Daikundi is situated in central Afghanistan, where problems in western , an official said on there are no health, education and other facilities and Saturday. the area has been neglected for years. So far, no fraud-related complaint has been reported from She said every citizen had the right to vote and every Badghis, where the voter turnout was dismally low in some man and woman should exercise franchise in the parts. larger interest of the country. Zmarai, a resident of Maqur district, said armed rebels were active in Komri and Andri areas on the Election Day. He told Pajhwok Afghan News though the move raised concerns among the locals. But voting centres were opened before voters. But the number of voters was not comparable with the first round turnout. Abdul Majid from district said several attacks were conducted before noon in Joikar area. Many attempted attacks were foiled at noon and voters visited polling centres. But their number was less than expected. A dweller of Qala-i-Naw, the provincial capital, Abdur Rahman, said he had voted at a polling station in Hanzala High School where, the number of voters was higher than the first round. 6 polling sites stay closed in Farah, Ghazni Provincial IEC chief, Abdur Rahman Mohabat also said By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 18:12 there were no fraud reports and the voting process ended without any technical problems. FARAH/GHAZNI (Pajhwok): Three polling centres in Without giving details, he said some security threats were western Farah and as many in southern worrying but generally the process had been smooth. could not open due to security threats, officials said on Badghis police chief Lt Col Mohammad Qayyum Angar Saturday. said the presence of militants in Bala Murghab and Maqur Mirwais Rahmani, the IEC chief in Farah, told Pajhwok districts was a concern but they did not disrupt the election Afghan News the threats included bombs planted on process. routes to these sites. However, he said people cast their He added that five militants were killed and three others votes at 150 other sites. injured during a clash with Afghan forces in Kari-i-Haji Two of the closed polling sites in Farah were located in Nazar village of Qadis district. Parchaman district and a third in Pushtkoh district. But claimed attacking polling stations and Security officials had previously assured all polling sta- destroying one of them Bala Murghab. Several polling cen- tions across the province would be open. ters were stormed in Maqur district, they said. In Ghazni, three polling sites stayed closed in Qarabagh district and another two in the same district opened in the Greater enthusiasm seen among Zabul voters afternoon, Akhtar Mohammad Ajmal, the IEC provincial By Nasim Hotak Jun 14, 2014 - 19:01 chief, said. He said the three sites remained closed throughout the day QALAT (Pajhwok): Tens of thousands of people exercised due to security challenges, but did not say where exactly their voting right in southern , where the these sites were located. The official said Taliban attacks electoral process ended satisfactory, officials said on were feared and that was why they closed the sites to Saturday. prevent casualties among civilians. Voting in the runoff presidential election formally began at 7:00am across the country and ended at 4:00pm. He said despite threats from the Taliban and other At the end of the polling process, police chief Brig. Gen. insurgent groups, people massively turned out across the Ghulam Sakhi Rough Lewanai said the historic event had province to cast their votes. taken place on a peaceful note in Zabul.

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He told Pajhwok Afghan News both sides suffered All polling stations stay open in Wardak: IEC fatalities as rebels carried disruptive activities in different By Idrees Noori Jun 14, 2014 - 19:26 parts of the province. One Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier was killed and a second injured in Atghar and MAIDAN SHAHAR (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Arghandab districts. Commission (IEC) on Saturday said all polling stations Three insurgents were killed and some ammunitions were opened in central on seized by security personnel in Spini Ghbargai area on the Election Day. outskirts of provincial capital and Arghandab district. IEC Director Noorullah Paigham told Pajhwok Afghan In addition, five civilians were killed and another News none of his workers were faced with any problem wounded in two roadside bombings in Shinkai and during the day-long process. Shahr-i-Safa districts on Friday evening. All 160 centres and 463 polling stations were opened for A resident of the Norak area of Qalat told Pajhwok over voters without facing any security or technical problems, he the telephone that a woman had been killed in a shooting. added. Meanwhile, Lewanai said several people were detained on Maidan Wardak Governor Abdul Majeed Khogyani said charges of fraud in various parts of the province, but he strategy adopted by the of Afghan security forces and gave no further details. backed by tribal elders helped the process to be conducted The election commission’s logistic department head, with a peaceful noted. Tens of tribal elders, religious Nasibullah, said they had set up 47 polling centres in the scholars and youth traveled to several districts of the province. There were no major incidents of rigging or province for public awareness drive for greater participation security threats. in the vote, he said. He lauded women participation in the According to Nasibullah, initial information showed the national process. Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. number of voters was higher than the first round. Mohammad Khalil Andrabi said security forces kept away A resident of Qalat, Abdul Karim, said he had exercised militants from disrupting the process in some areas of the his voting right along with his family members in a province. peaceful environment. Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police Another resident, Gul Mohammad, thanked security (ANP), Afghan Local Police (ALP) and public order police forces for taking tight measures on the Election Day. were deployed throughout the province to ensure tight www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/greater-enthusiasm- security, he added. Meanwhile, the governor’s spokesman, seen-among-zabul-voters Attaullah Khogyani, said one person was arrested on charge of using fake voter cards. Polls mark new era for Afghanistan: Cunningham Khalil had a large number of fake voter cards transferring By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 19:22 them to Jalriz district and wanted to use them in favour of presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. The driver of KABUL (Pajhwok): The US ambassador to Afghanistan the detained man had escaped along with fake voter cards on Saturday praised the Afghans’ commitment to a but police had started raids to nab him, he said. peaceful and democratic future for their country. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/all-polling- “I congratulate the voters for their courage in the face of stations-stay-open-wardak-iec threats and violence from the Taliban, and welcome initial reports that Afghan women once again turned out in high Voting ends on peaceful note in Takhar numbers,” he said. By Zalmai Aziz Jun 14, 2014 - 19:53 In a statement, Ambassador James B. Cunningham said the Afghan security forces, well prepared and effective, TALOQAN (Pajhwok): People widely participated in the again performed superbly in protecting the elections. runoff presidential election in northern , “Today belongs to the Afghan people and their institu- where all polling stations were open. tions. It is clear that millions of men and women returned The voting officially began at 7:20am but residents had to the polls, undeterred and determined to help shape the lined up at polling sites two hours earlier the official time. future of their country.” Security officials had assured the voting process would be He said many Afghans had worked hard to prepare for the held in a peaceful environment. day. The electoral commissions must perform their roles Governor said they had adopted strict impartially, responsibly and transparently, he stressed. measures to prevent rigging and other irregularities. Vigilance and oversight were essential and allegations of “We were fully prepared to hold this round in a peaceful fraud needed to be addressed, the noted. way to enable people elect their future leader with votes and determination.”

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All polling centres and stations remained open throughout Exact casualty figures are yet to be available, but the 9-hour voting process, which ended without any Interior Minister Omar Daudzai said the militants security incident taking place, Takhar police chief Gen. conducted 150 attacks on the Election Day, killing and Abdul Hanan Qataghani said. wounding a number of people. Of the 215 polling sites in Takhar, he said, only three had Interior Ministry spokesman Ghulam Siddique security threats, but a security operation a week earlier Siddiqui tweeted that 29 fighters had been killed paved the ground for keeping them open as well. Syed Sibghatullah Alimi, a resident of Taloqan, said during the past 24 hours. people’s participation was much greater than the April elections in Takhar. He said most people exercised their right to franchise in favour of their preferred candidates. Syed Rohullah Mosavi, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) regional chief, said people had massively taken part in the election, except some areas, where the turnout was slightly low.

Voter turnout put at 58pc By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 20:21

KABUL (Pajhwok): Around seven million people participated in the runoff presidential election, with women constituting 38 percent of them, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief said on Saturday. Ahmad Yousaf Nuristani told a press conference about seven million people --- 62 percent men and 38 percent women --- cast their ballots in the historic election. He put the turnout at about 58 percent, praising security forces for doing a "tremendous job" during the election process. Nuristani also congratulated the nation on the successful conduct of the election, which he said was not an easy process. “We have good achievements in this election. It was an Afghan-led process,” he observed, acknowledging the Karzai greets nation on successful vote Afghan forces secured the ballot on their own. By Abbasin Zaheer Jun 14, 2014 - 19:56 Nuristani also said there were reports about fraud and rigging pouring in from different parts of the country. KABUL (Pajhwok): Congratulating the nation on the Meanwhile, Interior Minister Omar Daudzai said the completion of the second round of the presidential vote, Afghans had successfully come out of the election process. President Hamid Karzai on Saturday expressed his grief He claimed most enemy attacks were foiled on the election over the loss of lives on the Election Day. In a video day, increasing people’s trust in their security forces. message, the president said: “I congratulate all Afghans Daudzai remarked the Afghans had emphatically rejected on the successful election. We have proved once again terrorism and violence by casting their votes in large that we are a brave nation and know our interests. Follow- numbers. ing the election, God willing, Afghanistan will gain more Chief of Army Staff Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi said teh prosperity and stability. I also congratulate both candi- security forces maintained good coordination among them dates.” On the Election Day, a number of civilians were and they were also extended a helping hand by the people killed and wounded in attacks by the enemies of Afghani- during the election. “We have seen casualties today but not stan, he deplored. “I offer my condolences to the families as many as the enemy desired. Instead the enemy suffered who lost their near and dear ones in today’s attacks.” more casualties,” Gen. Karimi said.

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Polls go well in Panjsher, Paktika and Kunar Rasmussen lauds Afghan forces, institutions By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 21:04 By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 21:53

PARAKH/SHARANA/ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Massive KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO Secretary General Fogh turnout was reported in Panjsher, Paktika and Kunar Rasmussen on Saturday congratulated the Afghan people provinces, where most polling stations stayed open on the on the successful second round of the presidential election. election day, officials said on Saturday. “Today is another historic day for Afghanistan. I In central Panjsher province, the election was peaceful congratulate the millions of Afghans from across the amid a high turnout. country who cast their votes in the final round of A resident of Rokhi district, Darwish, told Pajhwok he presidential elections,” he said. was happy that there were no reports about rigging in In a statement, the NATO chief said the Afghan men and Panjsher, claiming the turnout was larger than the women had once again shown their determination to have a previous elections in April. say in their country’s future. Independent Election Commission official Fida Jan Faraji The Afghan security forces and institutions had done an more people took place in the second round of election in outstanding job despite the challenges, planning and Panjsher than the previous round. leading all security operations before and during the He said huge turnout at a female polling site in Bazarak, run-off, he added. the provincial capital, resulted into shortage of ballot “I commend the Afghan people for their commitment to papers, which were resupplied. democracy, and the Afghan security forces and institutions However, a resident of Bazarak, Hamid, said some people for their continued dedication and professionalism in committed fraud in favour of presidential candidate securing the electoral process. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. “It is essential for the future of Afghanistan that the election Panjsher governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri also said said process is now brought to its formal conclusion in a two IEC officials, who stuffed ballot boxes for Ghani, had credible, transparent and inclusive way,” he stressed. been arrested in district. Rasmussen urged all stakeholders to play a constructive But Faraji rejected the claims as baseless, saying fraud role in this respect. Allegations of electoral irregularities had not been committed in the district. should be addressed through the established institutional Officials and residents said no incident of violence was mechanisms, he said. reported throughout Panjsher. ISAF felicitates Afghan people, forces In Paktika, officials said the election passed off in a By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 21:55 peaceful environment and all polling stations stayed open. IEC chief in Paktia Zabihullah Wogarai said all the 266 KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Security Assistance polling centres remained open and there had been no Force (ISAF) on Saturday said the Afghans were confident incident of violence. of the security provided by their own forces and were opti- Police chief Brig. Gen. Nabi Jan Mullakhel said there mistic about a future of progress and opportunity. ISAF were a few incidents of violence but none could disrupt commended the Afghan forces for essentially conducting the voting process. non-stop security operations following the April 5 elec- He said a woman was injured when a rocket hit her house tions, securing approximately 6,200 polling centers across in the .. the country.

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"Once again, the Afghan forces have provided the The Elections Watch Organisation of Afghanistan (EWA) people with the opportunity to vote. And once again, also noted technical and logistical shortcomings, late the Afghan people have shown courage and opening of a number of polling stations, lack of ballot pa- determination in casting their ballots," said ISAF pers and a shortage of female staff in some polling stations. Commander Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. It said the irregularities included interference of candidate In a statement, he said: "The professionalism and agents and government officials in the voting process in some polling stations, as well as partiality of some IEC staff commitment of the Afghan forces was reflected in members. their applying lessons learned from the first round of EWA said IEC and IECC were responsible for addressing elections. Their tireless and effective efforts to bring the irregularities and making the required decisions in line peace and security to the Afghan people and to with the relevant laws, regulations and procedures. support political transition give me great optimism Meanwhile, the Inclusive and Democratic Election for the future." Association (IDEA) said people’s participation in the He reiterated ISAF’s commitment to continuing the president election for the second time proved that they strong partnership with Afghanistan, hailing Afghan wanted to have a say in the country’s affairs and electing forces achievements over the past year as enormous. their future president.

“The participation and interest of men and women in this round reflects growing political consciousness and sense of responsibility among people. It signifies that the Afghan people want a democratic and stable country.”

It also noted the shortage of ballot papers at some polling centers, prevention of national observers’ entry into some centers in different provinces and efforts by some individuals to influence the process in Kabul, Faryab, Nangarhar, Ghor and Farah.

Watchdogs detect shortcomings in runoff By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 22:09

KABUL (Pajhwok): Three independent election watchdogs on Saturday acknowledged the runoff vote generally went well but insecurity, shortage of ballot papers, ballot stuffing and technical shortcomings were observed. The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) noted shortcomings such as proxy voting, closure of polling centres and stations, and a lower turnout in many provinces. On Election Day, day, in all 34 provinces, 5,960 polling centers opened, 157 remained shut and around 487 addition stations were set up, a statement from TEFA Fingers of 11 Herat voters chopped off said. The voting concluded at 4:00 pm but people were By Storai Karimi Jun 14, 2014 - 22:19 allowed to vote beyond the closing time. Voting beyond the stipulated time took place in provinces HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Armed militants chopped off including Kabul, Herat, Parwan, Balkh, Nangarhar, fingers of nearly a dozen voters in western Kandahar, Ghazni, Kunduz and Badakhshan. on Saturday, a senior official said. Deputy Interior Minister Gen. Ayub Salangi wrote on his Twitter page the insurgents

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter cut off inked fingers of 11 people. However, he gave no “We will wait until the announcement of results by the IEC. further details.But a provincial security official confided However, political results are already clear. People have to Pajhwok Afghan News the incident occurred in Kasht-i proved they want change and we have the team to deliver -Kohna district, where the 11 people were kidnapped after it.” they cast their votes. His team’s observers in various provinces witnessed Meanwhile, Governor Fazlullah Wahidi confirmed the massive rigging and fraud, the economist alleged, kidnapping of 16 people. But he said nothing about the promising proofs of anomalies would be presented before finger-cutting incident.. the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC). He has held talks with the president, defence and interior ministers in this connection. In the election process, some government officials brazenly interferred and the issue would be shared with the IECC for thorough investigations, he concluded.

11 dead in Samangan roadside blast By Mohammad Barat Jun 14, 2014 - 22:32

AIBAK (Pajhwok): Eleven persons, including four women, a child, and employees of Independent Election Commission (IEC), were killed and three others wounded when a passenger wagon struck a roadside bomb in UNAMA congratulates Afghans on runoff vote northern the other day, an official By Pajhwok Report Jun 14, 2014 - 22:59 said Sunday. Maj. Gen. Muhammad Akram Baikzad, provincial police KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Assistance chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the tragic incident Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) congratulated “men and occurred at around 8:00 pm last night in Hussain Khelo women of Afghanistan on the holding the second round of area on the outskirts of Aibak, the provincial capital. the Presidential elections – a major achievement in the Six men, four women and a child were killed and three country’s historic democratic transition from one elected others injured in the incident, he said, adding that the IEC President to another.” employees were among the victims. In a statement, Ján Kubiš, the Secretary-General’s Special The injured were instantly rushed to Samangan Civil Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, said: Hospital for medical treatment, with one of the injured “With the same determination, resilience and courage the was stated to be in critical condition, said doctor Muqbel world saw in the first round of elections, the people of Azizi. Afghanistan today once again decided to take their destiny in their own hands and demonstrate their desire for a Ahmadzai seeks transparency in vote count peaceful, prosperous, and united Afghanistan.” said. “For By Mohammad Asif Ahmadzai Jun 14, 2014 - 22:48 this, they should be congratulated.” He praised the KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr. Ashraf competence and dedication of the Afghan National Security Ghani Ahmadzai on Saturday said the people had Forces in enabling voting to take place without any major discharged their duty by streaming to polling stations to disruption, even at the cost sometimes of their own lives. cast ballots, asking the Independent Election Commis- It welcomed the steps taken by the election management sion (IEC) to demonstrate extraordinary transparency in bodies – the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and vote count. Addressing a late-night press conference, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) Ahmadzai said: – to improve the electoral process in response

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter to requests and recommendations from candidates and But Amarkhel Zia dismissed the police chief's allegation observers. and explained the papers were being taken to address the “The IEC and IECC now have a critical responsibility to problem of a ballot shortage in the district. tally the votes in a transparent and accountable manner, The presidential hopeful said: “We will respond this time. resolve complaints consistently and efficiently, and to The election commission is duty-bound to respect people transparently release the results,” Kubiš said, adding that verdict. No one will be allowed to against the will of the this vital work should be done with the utmost integrity people." and impartiality to protect the vote and to deal with complaints in a way that will satisfy Afghans.

Abdullah optimistic of outright victory Above 100 killed in Election Day violence By Ahmad Quraishi Jun 14, 2014 - 23:10 By Pajhwok Team Jun 14, 2014 - 23:41

KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr. Abdullah KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 100 people died on Abdullah on Saturday said his team's estimates indicated Saturday when seven million Afghans braced gun, bomb that the runoff election result would be better than the and rocket attacks and voted to elect for five years their previous round. new president to succeed President Hamid Karzai, who is Addressing a press conference in Kabul at 9pm, five office over the past more than a decade. hours after the voting came to an end, the frontrunner The dead included 20 civilians, 15 Afghan National Army suggested he would emerge a clear winner. (ANA) service members, 11 police and one Independent He said: "It’s too early to predict the results. It’s the Election Commission (IEC) official. They were killed in election commission’s job. But on the face of it, the separate clashes, gun and bomb attacks, Interior Minister outcome is the same as the first round.” Omar Daudzai told reporters in Kabul. In the first round, according to the IEC results, Abdullah Half a dozen ANA troops were injured, he said, claiming gained about 45% of the votes cast. His closest rival Dr. 60 insurgents were also killed. The death toll among the Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai came in second with 31.5 rebels was likely to climb, he said, but did not elaborate. percent. A tally by Pajhwok Afghan News puts the number of Abdullah urged the electoral bodies to look into problems people killed on Saturday at 30, with 53 others injured in such as shortages of ballot papers in some provinces, various provinces. violations of relevant laws and fraud by certain Logar individuals. Six Taliban militants were killed and three others were Commenting on Kabul police chief Gen. Mohammad wounded after police ambushed them in Shakai area of the Zahir's statement that IEC Secretary President Ziaul Haq Barki-i-Barak district in central Logar province, the district Amarkhel was trying to commit fraud, Abdullah called chief said. for investigations into the incident. Eng. Mohammad Rahim Amin said nine militants had Zahir said police had seized two vehicles carrying ballot gathered in the area planning to attack a polling centre but papers out of Sarobi district in compliance with the IEC they were preempted by police. secretary’s directives -- something he called outright fraud.

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter

Kunar Khost Reports about incidents of violence started pouring in Five children were killed in a rocket attack blamed on the from various parts of eastern Kunar province soon after Taliban in Ali Sher district of southeastern Khost province. the voting began at 7am. Another 17 people were injured in the incident that took A rocket was slammed into Asadabad, the provincial place in Babrak Thanai area. capital, soon after the voting began. But Governor Laghman Shujaul Mulk Jalala said there were no casualties in the Four civilians --- two children, a young girl and a woman -- rocket fire. - were killed in a rocket fire incident blamed on Taliban There was a clash between local residents and Taliban insurgents in the Qarghaee district. militants in Mazar Dara area of Norgul district, leaving Badakhshan two civilians dead and as many injured, according to A police officer was killed in a rocket attack in the Kunar police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Habib Syedkhel. Kharandab area of and a voter was injured Faryab separately in the Yamgan district in a similar incident. A police man and three voters sustained injuries when a Farah bomb went off at the gate of a polling centre in Maimana, In this western province, three polling centres in Parchaman the capital of . and Pashton Koh districts stayed shut due to security Three people, including two women, were killed when a problems. rocket allegedly fired by insurgents hit a house in the Parwan Ghormach district’s Maqur area. Another five people Six Taliban militants were killed in mortar fire by security were injured in the incident. forces after the rebels launched attacks in Daraz Gard and In Maimana’s Khorasan High School polling station, Shatar Shahr areas of . The six rebels were voters clashed with deputy head of Abdullah’s campaign killed in the Shatar Shahr area. office. The clash left five people injured. Kandahar Baghlan Seven suicide bombers entered a house in Kandahar City at Two Afghan Local Police (ALP) members on a 11 am, firing rockets and throwing a hand grenade toward motorcycle were patrolling in front of a polling centre in security forces after they besieged the house. Baghlan-i-Markazi district when a bomb blast occurred, One policeman was injured in the incident and security injuring both. forces continued to besiege the house. Kabul Herat A bomb blast took place in front of Habibia High School Militants chopped off fingers of nearly a dozen individuals at 7:40 in the limits of third police district of Kabul city. who voted in the election. In the same area, a bomb hidden beneath a bridge went A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the fighters off but caused no casualties. carried out dozens of attacks in various parts of the country, On the eastern outskirts, a clash erupted between killing and injuring a large number of security forces. supporters of two rival Wolesi Jirga members Allah Gul www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/06/14/above-100-killed- Mujahid and Mullah Tarakhel in the Pul-i-Charkhi area, election-day-violence leaving two persons injured. Paktia Pakistani forces fired several mortar shells into the Dand Patan district targeting Afghan border police posts. The shelling was followed by a face-to-face engagement, said Paktia police chief Brig. Gen. Zalmai Oryakhel. He said there were no casualties among Afghan forces until noon. Three militants were killed in a blast caused by their own explosives, which they were transferring to Gardez, the provincial capital. Oryakhel said the three wanted to carry out bomb attacks on polling centres, but fell prey to their plot. Nearly a dozen civilians were injured in a roadside bombing that occurred near a high school in Ahmadabad district. The victims were dancing in front of a polling centre when the blast occurred.

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