Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Coverage Newsletter, April 9-15

Electoral bodies vow valid votes-based results By Khwaja Basir Fitri Apr 9, 2014 - 14:36

KABUL (Pajhwok): As vote-counting continues, the two national electoral institutions on Wednesday acknowledged there had been instances of fraud in Saturday's presidential polls. They said efforts were being made to announce the outcome based on valid . Independent Election Commission (IEC) Chairman told reporters in Kabul IEC officials would be referred to the attorney’s office if they were found guilty of . He said an official of a vote-tallying centre in southeastern Khost province had been referred to the attorney’s office FEFA records 11,000 instances of anomalies after some armed individuals interfered with boxes. By Azizullah Hamdard Apr 9, 2014 - 17:17 “The matter is still under investigation.” KABUL (Pajhwok): The Free and Fair Election Local officials in Khost had said some illegal armed men Foundation of (FEFA) on Wednesday said it had entered the centre on Saturday and stuffed some ballot had recorded 11,000 incidents of fraud, irregularities, boxes with new votes. militant threats and closure of polling stations during Nuristani cited little awareness about the , Saturday’s elections. The watchdog released a report, problems on roads in supply of logistic materials to polling saying it observers had noted 9,500 cases of electoral stations and the lack of accurate voter lists as some of the fraud, including 2,600 of a serious nature. It said people’s challenges the IEC confronted during the elections. participation was beyond expectations, but there had been Other challenges had been a shortage of female staff at election law violations. FEFA chief Nader Naderi told woman’s polling stations and electronic identity cards, he reporters 141 ballot boxes had been stuffed in favour of a added. However, Nuristani said the elections had been a particular candidate and 997 cases were related to success despite all these challenges. underage . He added 323 cases were about militant He said they planned to airlift ballot boxes to the provincial threats to polling stations and 437 incidents about the capitals of Ghor, Badakhshan and Daikundi from 26 closure of election sites owing to insecurity. districts today (Wednesday). He said in some instances men used female voter cards Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) and in others poor quality indelible was used. chief Abdul Sattar Sadat, who was present at the press Observers were barred from monitoring the voting process conference, said there had been many incidents of electoral at some polling centres, he said. fraud and other irregularities during the April 5 elections. He said some polling centres had run out of ballot papers He said there were also complaints against IEC workers, until midday and others opened late. but promised invalid votes would be separated from FEFA chief executive Jandad Spinghar said men had used genuine ones. “We will not let fraud to tarnish the female voter cards at 507 polling sites in different areas. Afghans’ pride.” He added 297 observers were not allowed to monitor the He said the two electoral bodies were responsible to election process and 2,305 polling sites were opened late announce the results based on valid votes. and 1,727 sites remained open beyond the official closing Sadat said if complaints were not investigated, it could time. There were 209 cases of poor quality election ink. leave a question mark on the vote’s credibility. Spinghar said fraud and law violation cases in the April 5 election had been less compared to those occurred during Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/electoral- the 2009 election. bodies-vow-valid-votes-based-results All the cases had been referred to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to decide, he concluded. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/fefa- records-11000-instances-anomalies http://www.pajhwok.com Page 1 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af

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Bigzad said there had been instances of electoral fraud in two districts, including Sherin Tagab and the April 5 vote provoked more than 90 complaints in the province so far. IEC chief in Faryab Syed Masoom Masoomi confirmed the claims of fraud and said the complaints with valid documents would be addressed. Photos taken at some polling stations in Faryab show broken locks of ballot boxes, apparently stuffed fraudulently. A resident of the Sherin Tagab district shared a video footage with Pajhwok Afghan News showing locks of 24 ballot boxes are broken and refilled with new ballot papers. The resident said. “I saw some IEC officers taking out Fake opinion polls creating confusion: IEC ballots from a box, which contained 2,200 votes because a By Khwaja Basir Ahmad Fitri Apr 9, 2014 - 17:12 box should contain 600 votes only.” Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/warlords- KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election stuffed-ballot-boxes-faryab Commission (IEC) on Wednesday urged the presidential runners to avoid releasing fake surveys and opinion polls about poll results. At a news conference in Kabul, Dr. Yousaf Nuristani said the credibility of such surveys was far from established in the eyes of the two commissions. People should not be confused with rumours, he stressed. Nuristani asked presidential hopefuls to wait for IEC’s official announcement of election results and keep their supporters from spreading misleading reports. Presently, the two electoral bodies were processing votes, he said. After next Tuesday, partial results from provinces would be made public every three days until April 24. Preliminary results of Saturday’s polls are scheduled to be announced on April 24 and the final outcome on May 24. Speaking on the occasion, Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) Chairperson Abdul Sattar Sadat said more than 3,000 fraud-related complaints had Cameron greets Afghans on successful elections been recorded so far. By Pajhwok Report Apr 9, 2014 - 21:29 Most of the complaints are against IEC employees. If KABUL (Pajhwok): British Prime Minister David found valid, , the complaints would lead to invalidation of Cameron has congratulated the Afghans on casting votes votes, he said, rejecting claims of ballot paper scarcity as in millions in the elections last Saturday for the sake of a groundless. better future. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/fake- A statement issued from the Presidential Palace said the opinion-polls-creating-confusion-iec UK leader wrote to President Karzai and hailed the April 5 Warlords stuffed ballot boxes in Faryab vote as a success and a huge hope for a better future of By Qutbuddin Kohi Apr 9, 2014 - 20:45 Afghanistan. “It is a moment of pleasure to see millions of Afghan men MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Some warlords stuffed ballot and women cast votes to elect a future president,” boxes and election officials committed fraud during Cameron was quoted as by the statement. Saturday’s elections in two districts of northwestern Cameron hoped the elections would realise President , an official alleged on Wednesday. “We Karzai’s perspective of a peaceful transfer of power. have received reports that say some warlords interfered Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/cameron- and stuffed ballot boxes for their candidate,” he said, but greets-afghans-successful-elections did not name the contender and the warlords.

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In a statement, it also appreciated the Independent Election Commission (IEC) for its management of the election in very difficult conditions. “It is imperative that the final tabulation and consolidation of votes as well as the verification of the vote totals is done in a timely, transparent, and professional manner.” Condemning electoral violence and one incident during the pre-election period, it said early reports indicated there was less violence than during the last presidential and provincial council polls. “Much of the credit for this improvement rightly goes to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) who by and large performed professionally and bravely in the face of repeated attacks.” The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission Rassoul preparing for run-off vote (IECC) must investigate in an impartial, transparent, By Pajhwok Report Apr 9, 2014 - 15:19 thorough, and timely manner all the complaints, it KABUL (Pajhwok): With the final result not expected in stressed. weeks, the campaign office of presidential contender Dr. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/anfrel- Zalmai Rassoul on Wednesday said Saturday’s presidential stresses-transparent-poll-results vote might go to a second round and he was fully prepared to contest the run-off. A statement from the media wing of Rassoul’s campaign office said the ex-foreign minister headed a meeting that directed all regional campaign managers to get ready for a run-off election. The Constitution says if none of the presidential contenders obtains 50+1 percent of votes, the election goes to a second-round run-off election among the two top-rated candidates. A run-off is held two weeks after the announcement of the final result. Rassoul campaign office also alleged massive rigging in the elections and said it had submitted complaints in this regard with the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission FACS warns against manipulating results (IECC). By Pajhwok reporter Apr 9, 2014 - 18:28 It said they had started preparations for a second round of elections including making alliances with other contenders. KABUL (Pajhwok): The Federation of Afghanistan Civil Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/rassoul- Society (FACS) on Wednesday asked the government and preparing-run-vote other stakeholders to refrain from attempts at manipulating the outcome of the April 5 elections. FACS ANFREL stresses transparent poll results chief Sadiq Mansoor Ansari told reporters in Kabul the By Pajhwok Report Apr 9, 2014 - 16:40 presidential and provincial council elections had been a KABUL (Pajhwok): The Asian Network for Free Elections success, which should be protected from being influenced (ANFREL) Foundation on Wednesday commended the by powerful elements. He demanded stepped-up Afghans for their active participation in Saturday’s investigations into allegations of electoral fraud and legal presidential and provincial council elections. action against those involved. He urged President Karzai and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to let the ANFREL lauded the determined voters who voted despite presidential election go to a second round if the situation obstacles and threats. “As and when Afghanistan becomes a demanded so. The Constitution says if none of the mature democracy, it will do so based on a democratic presidential contenders obtains 50+1 percent of votes, the foundation laid by Saturday’s voters.” election goes to a second-round run-off between the top two candidates.

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The commission has reportedly entered into its data system more than 45 percent of ballots cast and a partial vote count cannot be released until at least 20 of 34 total provinces are counted. Under the election law, if none of the presidential hopefuls secures 50 percent plus one vote, the election goes to a second round between two toped-rated candidates. Unofficial results suggest none of the presidential contenders will be able to secure the required number of votes. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/10/iec-ready- Security forces’ role in polls commended hold-run-vote-if-needed By Pajhwok reporter Apr 9, 2014 - 13:33 Quarantining 25pc Badakhshan ballot boxes feared TALOQAN (Pajhwok): People from different walks of life By Hidayatullah Hamdard Apr 10, 2014 - 15:48 in northern on Wednesday lauded the role of Afghan forces in maintain tight security during FAIZABAD/BAMYAN (Pajhwok): At least 74 electoral Saturday’s elections. complaints had been recorded in northeastern Badakhshan At a meeting, attended by senior security officials, civil province and the objections if verified could lead to society organisations, women’s rights activists and putting 25 percent of ballot boxes in quarantine, an journalists, participants commended Afghan forces’ official said on Thursday. sacrifice. Independent Elecoral Complaints Commission (IECC) Governor expressed satisfaction with official in Badakhshan Abdul Mussawir Sirat said four the security environment that also boosted the morale of complaints had been lodged against presidential Afghan forces. He particularly appreciated policewomen’s candidates, 40 against provincial council runners, 22 role during the ballot. against election commission employees and six against Razam Ara Hawash, provincial women’s affairs director, government officials. said security forces had demonstrated valour by thwarting He said some district and police chiefs had been accused several sabotage plans on Election Day. of violations and in two instances, gunmen had Col. Abdul Hanan Qatghani, the provincial police chief, said intimidated voters. credit for conducting peaceful polls went to the country’s There were complaints about ballot stuffing, voting security forces. without applying inedible ink to fingers of voters, a The participants presented security officials with bouquets shortage of forms to lodge complaints and casting ballots for adopting tight measures. Similar gatherings have been by unregistered voters. held in other parts of the country as well, including Kabul. He said they had received audio and video footages of www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/09/security-forces’-role- electoral fraud, saying 25 percent of ballot boxes would be polls-commended quarantined if the complaints were found supported by valid documents. “The move will have an impact on IEC ready to hold run-off vote if needed votecount,” he added. By Muhammad Hasan Khitab Apr 10, 2014 - 18:23 Badakhshan election commission head Muhammad Rassoul Omar said the process of airlifting ballot boxes KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission from 14 districts to Faizabad City would be completed (IEC) on Thursday said it was fully prepared to hold a today (Thursday). second round run-off election if necessary, saying the Meanwhile, more than 20 complaints have been registered run-off would be free from any legal and technical in central Bamyan province, where four ballot boxes were problems. quarantined. More than seven million people cast votes in Saturday’s IECC head in Bamyan Niamatullah Tanin said: “We have presidential and provincial council elections. started assessing electoral violations and a decision in this The IEC started tallying votes on April 6, a day after the regard will be made public pending an investigation.” But voting came to a close, a process that would continue until April 20, with a final not expected until mid-May. a final decision in this regard would come from the main office in Kabul, he added.

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Governor Ghulam Ali Wihdat said the national process had Yet another video seems to be from southern Afghanistan been satisfactory and there had been a massive turnout. catches several people, including children, while stuffing He acknowledged there had been some problems on the ballot boxes. Election Day such as a shortage of ballot papers in Panjab, In the video, two individuals are seen using ballots in Yakawlang districts and Bamyan City, but such polling favour of presidential and provincial council candidates stations had been resupplied needed materials before the after marking and stamping the votes. voting came to a close. A day earlier, Independent Electoral Complaints Link: Commission (IECC) chief Sattar Sadat told journalists in http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/10/quarantining-25pc- Kabul more than 3,000 complaints regarding fraud and badakhshan-ballot-boxes-feared other irregularities had been registered. He acknowledged widespread rigging had taken place IEC staff face 15 fraud complaints in Kunar during Saturday’s elections. By Khan Wali Salarzai Apr 10, 2014 - 11:53 The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FFEFA) in its report says Saturday’s polls were ASADABAD (Pajhwok): The Independent Election transparent compared to the previous one. Commission (IEC) on Thursday said it had recorded 32 But it noted ballot stuffing, use of female voter cards by complaints about fraud and other irregularities during last men and underage voting were among instances of Saturday’s elections in eastern . irregularities occurred on the Election Day. Regional IEC Chief Murtaza Habibyar told Pajhwok Afghan News five objections were about vote rigging and 200 complaints lodged in 48 hours in Kandahar fraud against presidential candidates, 12 against provincial By Bashir Ahmad Naadim Apr 10, 2014 - 18:00 council candidates and 15 complaints against IEC staff. He said they had started investigating the complaints, a KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): About 200 complaints process that would take at least 10 days to complete. regarding electoral fraud and other irregularities were However, he said only a few complaints had documents in registered within 48 hours from the Election Day (last support and promised all the objections with valid evidence Saturday) in southern Kandahar province, an official said would be investigated with impartiality. on Thursday. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/10/iec-staff- Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) face-15-fraud-complaints-kunar chief in Kandahar Marwand Waziri told Pajhwok Afghan News the objections had been lodged by provincial council candidates, presidential hopefuls, their representatives and election observers. He said electoral fraud had been claimed in the complaints in favour of presidential candidates Zalmai Rassoul, Ashraf Ghani, and others. He said some of the complaints had been lodged against provincial council candidates by their rivals and others against election staff, observers and security forces. Photos, videos show ballots torched, thrown out Complaints lodged against presidential candidates had By Javed Hamim Kakar Apr 10, 2014 - 17:28 been dispatched to the central capital and those filed against provincial candidates were being investigated in KABUL (Pajhwok): Pajhwok Afghan News has obtained Kandahar, he said. some video clips and photos that show many ballot papers There were reports that ballot boxes reaching the have either been torched or thrown out. Independent Election Commission (IEC) office in One video shows some individuals are stuffing ballot boxes Kandahar City had been unlocked and stuffed with bogus in favour of presidential runners and others throwing ballot votes. papers into a toilet. But Waziri called the reports as rumours, saying IECC In another video, several people are marking votes in favour employees were present at the IEC office and no such of a candidate of their choice despite the dark of night. incident had taken place there. He acknowledged having A third video, believed to be from Baghlan province, shows received telephone calls regarding the issue. dozens of ballot papers are thrown in front of a polling IEC Kandahar chief Eng. Abdul Hadi Dawri also rejected station, where a group of people is gathered criticising the the rumours as baseless, saying no one could open ballot scene. boxes once locked.

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He assured complaints regarding fraud and other anomalies would be thoroughly investigated to clean out the fraudulent votes. He did not rule out fraud in the elections, but said it had not been on the scale at witnessed in the previous elections. Like other provinces, the issue of fraud and other irregularities is being echoed in Kandahar amid official assurances the complaints will be investigated and fraudulent votes thrown out. Saturday’s elections were also marred by the appointment of unskilled electoral staff, a shortage of ballot papers and other shortcomings. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/10/200-complaints- lodged-48-hours-kandahar Ready for run-off, Ahmadzai rules out coalition govt By Muhammad Hasan Khitab Apr 11, 2014 - 11:25

KABUL (Pajhwok): Frontrunner in last weekend’s presi- dential elections Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai said on Fri- day he would prefer contesting a run-off election over withdrawing in favour a rival candidate. In a video message, Ashraf Ghani said partial results from the April 5 elections were yet to be announced, but he was ready if the elections went to a second round run-off race. “God willing, we are the winner and ready if the polls go to a run-off round,” he added. After securing vic- tory in the elections, the academic said he would form a government in which other contenders would have a big Massive polls’ rigging reported in Nuristan share. Another frontrunner to succeed Hamid Karzai, Ab- By Pajhwok reporter Apr 10, 2014 - 19:21 dullah Abdullah, on Thursday voiced the possibility of teaming up with another leading candidate Zalmai Ras- JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A number provincial candidates soul but ruled out forming a coalition government to in eastern on Thursday accused some avoid a second-round runoff. More than seven million local and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) Afghans voted in the landmark elections, which will ush- regional officials of massive rigging and fraud in Saturday’s er in the first democratic handover of power in the coun- polls. Some eight provincial council candidates at a news try’s history, if succeeded. conference in this provincial capital, complained about Preliminary tallies put Abdullah in the lead in parts of widespread electoral fraud in the remote areas. Kabul. But it could be weeks before a countrywide win- They alleged militants conducted attacks on polling sites ner emerges from the field of eight candidates. scheduled to be opened for voting but ballot boxes were Under the election law if none of the candidates gets stuffed in private residences after the attacks. more than 50 per cent, a runoff will have to be held, at the They called on the Independent Election Complaint earliest in late May. The Independent Election Commis- Commission (IECC) to quarantine all those ballot boxes sion (IEC) started tallying votes on April 6, a day after stuffed illegally. the voting came to a close, a process that would continue Amanullah, a provincial council candidate from Nuristan, until April 20, with a final tally not expected until mid- said some IEC, security and local officials were in May. connivance with others in carrying out frauds during The commission has reportedly entered into its data sys- Saturday’s elections. tem more than 45 percent of ballots cast and a partial vote He said the officials had illegally stuffed ballot boxes in count cannot be released until at least 20 of 34 total prov- favour of presidential candidates Dr. Abdullah Abdullah inces are counted. and Prof. Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf and some provincial Unofficial results suggest none of the presidential con- council candidates. tenders will be able to secure the required number of http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/10/massive-polls% votes. E2%80%99-rigging-reported-nuristan

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Paktika women’s affairs director fined By Ali Muhammad Nazari Apr 12, 2014 - 12:31

SHARANA (Pajhwok): The women’s affairs director has been fined 35,000 afghanis by Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) officials for using a fake card to monitor the April 5 elections in southeastern Paktika province, an official said on Saturday. Bibi Hawa, the provincial Women’s Affairs Department head, had served as an election observer during last Saturday’s presidential and provincial council polls by using a fake observer card, IECC head in Paktika, Abdul Majid Malang, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He added Hawa had also misbehaved with a polling centre Vote was a against Taliban: Zakhilwal staff in Sharana, the provincial capital. By Lalit K Jha Apr 12, 2014 - 10:30 Fifteen of the 40 complaints lodged in Paktika had WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The successful conduct of last supporting documents, he said, adding most of the weekend's presidential elections and the massive turnout objections were about stuffing ballot boxes. despite Taliban's threat proved global skeptics as wrong, the Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/paktika- finance minister said Friday. women%E2%80%99s-affairs-director-fined Referring to the massive turnout throughout Afghanistan during last Saturday's landmark elections, Omar Zakhilwal Paktia IECC says unable to probe complaints called the ballot a referendum against the Taliban. Zakhiwal By Sahel Mangal Apr 12, 2014 - 14:15 is in Washington to attend the annual spring meeting of the GARDEZ (Pajhwok): The election watchdog on Saturday International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World said it would be unable to review complaints about Bank. electoral fraud in southeastern Paktia province due to a “The massive turnout by people to vote for their favorite lack of cooperation from the Independent Election candidates, I think, was a referendum on the Taliban. It was Commission (IEC). a total rejection of the Taliban. And of course, those who Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) are behind the Taliban, this election showed that they will head for Paktia, Mohammad Bashir Bahram, told Pajhwok not win Afghan people,” Zakhilwal said. Afghan News they wanted to recount votes of suspect ballot boxes, but the IEC was yet to provide them a list of He went on to say: “Those days of subjugating people with such boxes. threats are over. People of Afghanistan want to move He said the IECC would not be able to investigate all forward in a state that is democratic, responsible and complaints in two days left to complete the process. accountable to the people of Afghanistan.” A total of 78 complaints had been registered in Paktia, He expressed these views at the event held at the Afghan with 18 objections concerning presidential candidates, he Embassy in Washington. Senior US officials including said. those from the State Department and diplomats from However, IEC provincial head Rahmatullah Haqmal said various countries based in Washington attended the event. their main office in Kabul was to be blamed for the Before the event, wherein he briefed Washington audience, situation in Paktia, complaining they had not been Zakhilwal met Special US Representatives for Afghanistan delivered any list of quarantined ballot boxes by the IEC and James Dobbins. headquarters. Observers in Paktia expressed their concerns about the He said the election showed the strength of the Afghan vote count process and warned if votes were not tallied in security forces and proved wrong doubts about their a timely matter, it would amount to rigging. capability. “We are worried about an inordinate delay in the arrival of lists. We want the IEC to take steps in this regard,” said Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/vote-was- Mohammad Rahman Qadari, a provincial council referendum-against-taliban-zakhilwal candidate. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/paktia-iecc -says-unable-probe-complaints

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Ballot boxes at 17 Balkh polling sites suspicious By Zabihullah Ihsas Apr 12, 2014 - 16:36

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): So far 123 complaints about fraud and other irregularities in last weekend’s elections had been lodged in northern Balkh province, with ballot boxes of 17 polling centres recommended to be quarantined, officials said on Saturday. Regional IECC chief Dad Mohammad Anabi told Pajhwok Afghan News 75 complaints had been registered against presidential candidates, 39 against provincial council candidates and nine against IEC workers. He said the complaints alleged observers had been beaten, threatened and forcibly expelled from some polling stations. 7,000 Kuchis fail to vote in Faryab The complainants claimed ballot boxes were stuffed at By Qutbuddin Kohi Apr 12, 2014 - 15:57 some polling centres, others marred by mismanagement and a shortage of ballot papers and some remained open MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Around 7,000 Kuchi tribesmen beyond the official closing time. could not exercise their right to enfranchise in April 5 Anabi said there were complaints that some candidates presidential and provincial council elections in northern had been campaigning in areas close to polling sites. Faryab province due to insecurity. However, he said there had been no serious charges Thousands of Kuchi families live in Faryab, but security against presidential candidates, but four provincial threats kept 7,000 eligible Kuchi voters away from casting candidates had been accused of intimidating voters and their vote, said Ghulam Ghaus, a representative of the tribe stuffing ballot boxes. in Daulat Abad district. Anabi said the regional IECC office had not yet suggested He said Kuchi families lived in Ghormach, Daulat Abad, the IECC office to quarantine any , pending a Almar, Qaisar, Pashtun Kot, Qaram Qul and Shireen Tagab review of the complaints to identify suspect ballot boxes districts. in two days. Two days before the polls, security forces had conducted a However, IEC regional chief said they had recommended cleanup operation in Fatah Baba and Shor Darya areas of the main office in Kabul to quarantine ballot boxes of 17 Daulat Abad district, but the operation did not help secure polling centres. polling centres, he said. Izatullah Armaan said there were 51 suspect ballot boxes “It has been two years I could not return home in Daulat – one stuffed in favour of a presidential runners and the Abad due to Taliban's threats," he said, accusing the rebels rest in favour of provincial council candidates. of having killed elders of the Kuchi tribe. Angar Tokhi, a He said most of the boxes had been filled with new votes provincial council member, complained many polling in Mazar-I-Sharif, the provincial capital, and some in centres in their area remained closed on the election day due Sholgar, Zareh, Balkh, Kashandi and Dawlat Abaad threats posed by the insurgents. districts. Also in the run for a seat on the provincial council, Tokhi There were a total of 319 polling sites in Balkh and six of said he had many supporters in areas inhabited by the Kuchi them had been declared under high security threat. tribe, but they could not vote in the face of a worsening But except one site, all other sites had been open on the security situation. Masoom Masoomi, Faryab Independent Election Day (April 5). Election Commission (IEC) head, said not only nomads, but mds/ma other residents of Qaisar, Almar and Pashtoon Kot districts Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/ballot- had been unable to participate in the elections.Fifteen of 34 boxes-17-balkh-polling-sites-suspicious voting sites in Qaisar district had been shut on the Election Day, he said, adding local authorities should have addressed Partial results from April 5 polls delayed until Sunday their reservations.Governor Muhammadullah Batash, By Meer Agha Nasrat Samimi Apr 12, 2014 - 19:32 regretting the issue, said security forces had been unable to KABUL (Pajhwok): With Afghans impatiently waiting, keep all polling centres open. Of 234 polling centres, 47 the release of partial results from last weekend’s sites could not be open due to bad weather and security presidential elections has been delayed by another day, an problems, he added. official said on Saturday.

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On Friday, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) said result sheets from various provinces had reached the commission’s main office and some partial results were likely to be released on Saturday. IEC officials had been discussing throughout Saturday that how and how much partial results they should release until 4pm or 6pm, but at the end, they decided to delay the release until Sunday. Around 4pm, IEC Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel told Pajhwok Afghan News the announcement of partial results had been delayed until tomorrow. “We took this decision at our meeting today that the release of partial results be delayed until tomorrow,” he said, but Fraud to plunge country into chaos, crisis stopped short of going into details. By Shams Jalal Apr 12, 2014 - 16:42 More than seven million people out of 13 million eligible voters, including 35 percent women, cast their votes on LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Journalists and civil society April 5 despite security challenges. activists in southern Helmand province on Saturday said The IEC says it had received more than 3000 complaints fraud attempts in the April, 5 elections would plunge the about fraud and other irregularities in the elections and a country into crisis and chaos. probe into them is underway. University lecturers, journalists and members of civil April 24 has been set as the date to announce preliminary society institutions expressed these views in a gathering in results while the final results are expected on May 14 after Lashkargah City, the provincial capital. all complaints are investigated. They asked the electoral commissions to remain neutral Two presidential hopefuls --- Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr and demonstrate transparency in announcing results of Abdullah Abdullah -- claim to be leading the race from the presidential and provincial council elections. votes counted so far. Sardar Muhammad Hamdard while speaking on the Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/partial- occasion said peaceful transfer of power through ballot results-april-5-polls-delayed-until-sunday was a key demand of Afghans. He added residents of his province were supporting an Paktia IECC says unable to probe complaints impartial presidential hopeful who would succeed through By Sahel Mangal Apr 12, 2014 - 14:15 people’s votes. GARDEZ (Pajhwok): The election watchdog on Saturday Hamdard said the April, 5 ballot was transparent than 2009 polls, urging the electoral commissions not to said it would be unable to review complaints about electoral fraud in southeastern Paktia province due to a lack of sacrifice major hopes of Afghans on the basis of language, tribal and political preferences. cooperation from the Independent Election Commission (IEC). Independent Electoral Complaints Commission Journalist and writer, Ahmad Shah Pasoon, said the (IECC) head for Paktia, Mohammad Bashir Bahram, told presidential and provincial council polls were held after unspeakable offering blood by the people. Pajhwok Afghan News they wanted to recount votes of suspect ballot boxes, but the IEC was yet to provide them a Without looking to 50+1 percentage, a leading presidential contender should be declared as winner because presently list of such boxes. He said the IECC would not be able to investigate all complaints in two days left to complete the the country was passing through critical phases of history, process. A total of 78 complaints had been registered in he added. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/fraud-plunge- Paktia, with 18 objections concerning presidential candidates, he said. However, IEC provincial head country -chaos-crisis Rahmatullah Haqmal said their main office in Kabul was to be blamed for the situation in Paktia, complaining they had MPs assail runners over predicting vote results not been delivered any list of quarantined ballot boxes by By Khwaja Basir Ahmad Apr 12, 2014 - 20:21 the IEC headquarters. Observers in Paktia expressed their KABUL (Pajhwok): Some lower house members on concerns about the vote count process and warned if votes Saturday said they were concerned about own predictions were not tallied in a timely matter, it would amount to by presidential candidates about the outcome of April 5 rigging. elections and widespread fraud allegations.

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They believed any premature judgment about the vote’s last week’s presidential vote, showing Abdullah Abdullah outcome could disturb the public mind and create chaos. in a tight race with his closest rival Ashraf Ghani Independent Election Commission (IEC) and Independent Ahmadzai. Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) officials say the Based on the 10 percent votes counted (506,843 votes) vote tallying process is ongoing in a transparent manner. from 26 provinces of the country’s 34 provinces showed They acknowledge widespread fraud as so far more than Abdullah led with 41.9 percent or 212,312 votes, followed 3,000 complaints about fraud and other irregularities have by Ahmadzai with 37.6 percent or 190,561 votes. been registered. They say they have quarantined ballot Dr. Zalmai Rassoul trailed far behind with 9.8 percent or boxes of various polling centres in order to clean out 49,821 votes, Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf secured 5.1 fraudulent votes. percent or 25,679 votes, Qutbuddin Hilal 2.7 percent or Wolesi Jirga member from western Herat province 13,536 votes and Muhammad Shafiq Gul Agha Sherzai Munawar Shah Bahaduri alleged the government and the 2.2 percent or 11,132 votes. election bodies had been trying to alter the outcome in Another candidate Daud Sultanzoyi secured 0.5 percent or favour of a specific candidate. 2,442 votes while Hidayat Amin Arsala bagged 0.3 Without giving details, Bahaduri said some political figures percent or 1,360 votes. had launched efforts to get a specific presidential runner Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani, the IEC chief, who announced failed. the partial results, made it clear that the results were not “If the results are changed in favour a particular candidate, final and could change in future. lawmakers will not stay silent,” he warned. As many as seven million people cast their votes in the “Any electoral fraud and manipulating the outcome will be April 5 elections. Partial results were earlier scheduled unacceptable. People’s votes should be respected and we for Saturday, but postponed until Sunday. will defend our constituents’ rights,’ he added. Dozens of photos and video clips have been released on Those accused of fraud and negligence in duty should be social media sites, showing instances of widespread fraud introduced to the Attorney General Office (AGO), he in some polling stations. The IEC on Sunday said it had suggested. recorded 870 incidents of fraud classed as "Priority A", Meanwhile, other lawmakers warned irresponsible complaints considered serious enough to affect the predictions about the results could have harmful outcome of the election. consequences. Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) They said such predictions should be avoided because it spokesman Nadir Muhseni said so far 3,274 complaints could disturb the public and raise questions about the vote’s had been registered and 1,892 of them had documents in legitimacy. support. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/12/mps-assail-runners Among the complaints classed as "Priority A, 338 are -over-predicting-vote-results against presidential runners, 537 against provincial coun- cil contenders and 1,017 against IEC staff. Final results are due on May 14. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/abdullah- leads-ahmadzai-early-results

Six presidential runners say partial returns unacceptable By Javed Hamim Kakar Apr 13, 2014 - 23:23 KABUL (Pajhwok): Hours after the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced partial returns from the April 5 presidential elections, half a dozen candidates on Sunday rejected the outcome as unacceptable. The returns based on 10 percent votes from 26 provinces put Abdullah Abdullah in the lead, amid recorded Abdullah leads Ahmadzai in early results incidents of serious fraud. By Pajhwok Report Apr 13, 2014 - 15:31 Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is in second place with 37.6 per cent and Zalmai Rassoul trailed far behind with 9.8 per KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission cent. (IEC) on Sunday released partial returns from

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Six candidates, including Rassoul, Gul Agha Sherzai, The three front runners have all complained of fraud. Qutbuddin Hilal, Hidayat Amin Arsala and Sultanzoy held a A candidate must secure more than 50 percent of meeting at the residence of another candidate Abdul Rab valid ballots to win. Failing that, the top two Rassoul Sayyaf, a campaigner for Sayyaf, , candidates go into a run-off. told Pajhwok Afghan News. Partial results from a sample of ballots were After the meeting, he said, the candidates released a joint announced on Sunday, after delayed for a day, statement that said the IEC should have separated fraudulent votes before announcing the partial results. showing presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah in The statement praised the Afghans for widely participating a tight race with his closest rival Dr. Ashraf Ghani in the elections, but accused government and election Ahmadzai. officials of committing widespread fraud. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/serious- The candidates said the results were not acceptable to them fraud-could-affect-outcome-polls-watchdog and the election commission would be responsible for any negative repercussion. They also decided to showcase evidence of fraud committed in the elections at a joint press conference in the near future. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/six- presidential-runners-say-partial-returns-unacceptable Serious fraud could affect outcome in polls: watchdog By Muhammad Hassan Khitab Apr 13, 2014 - 16:42 KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission on Sunday said it had recorded a total of 870 incidents of fraud classed as "Priority A", complaints considered serious enough to affect the outcome of the April 5 elections. Game is not over, says Ahmadzai IECC spokesman Nadir Muhseni told reporters in By Pajhwok Team Apr 13, 2014 - 22:52 Kabul they had registered 3,274 complaints so far from across the country and 1,892 of them had documents in KABUL (Pajhwok): Reacting to the release of partial support. returns from last weekends’ presidential vote, hopeful Dr. He said might expand the timeframe to review the high Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Sunday said “the game is not number of complaints accurately in provinces. over.” Ahmadzai was shown closely chasing his rival Cases of fraud classed as “Priority-A complaints, candidate Abdullah Abdullah in the partial official results higher than the 815 incidents recorded in 2009, based on the 10 percent votes counted in 26 provinces. The early results were announced earlier in the day by the included 338 against presidential runners, 537 against Independent Election Commission, which cautioned the provincial council contenders and 1,017 against results were not final and could change in future because employees of the Independent Election Commission serious incidents of fraud could affect the final outcome. (IEC). Abdullah leads with 41.9 percent; Ghani has 37.6 percent Muhseni said common people and observers could and is in second; and Zalmai Rassoul has 9.8 percent in closely monitor the process of assessing complaints in third position. all the provinces. He said the IECC was committed to Ghani welcomed the early results and said he hoped the ensuring transparency and asked international IEC would continue to take forward its affairs in observers to avoid exceeding their mandate. accordance with the law. He said the watchdog had called on the IEC to share He said he was in a close contest with Abdullah and each lists of quarantined and suspicious ballot boxes and vote had its weight and that ballots in some provinces were yet to be tallied. ballots invalidated. “The partial results are like a football game in which Dozens of photos and video clips are released on social players first get warm and then play. The game is not media sites, showing instances of widespread fraud in over. The difference is narrow. The IEC should separate some polling stations. fraudulent votes from valid ones as soon as possible so as the scenario becomes clear to the masses.”

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Ghani said fraud incidents classed as “A-Priority Only after the adjudication of these complaints is complaints” were in considerable number in some provinces completed will the IEC announce the final results, and hoped the two national electoral institutions would work scheduled to take place on May 14. Kubiš reiterated that together on the issue. under Afghan law, the IEC and IECC were responsible for The academic wondered if the partial results were based on the management, adjudication and release of official the 10 percent votes counted then the figures showed only results from the elections. five million people had cast vote in the elections. “It is He called upon all stakeholders to respect these hoped the election commission will find out that how many institutions' independence and mandated authority as they people had voted.” complete the important task. The IEC says around seven million people cast their votes in Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/partial- the elections held on April 5. results-only-first-snapshot-kubis Ashraf Ghani said the IEC had been error-free so far and said he hoped the panel would investigate all complaints. “The election commission is under pressure but it has not committed any wrongdoing that tramples the law. We should be patient and should create the environment of trust.” Ghani thanked President Hamid Karzai for being neutral throughout the election process and praised security forces for protecting voters and polling stations. He also paid tribute to the media for playing an important role during the polls. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/game-not- over-says-ahmadzai 20,000 votes likely to be thrown out in Wardak By Pajhwok Report Apr 13, 2014 - 19:30 Partial results only a first snapshot: Kubis By Pajhwok Report Apr 13, 2014 - 23:48 MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): Around 20,000 of the KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Assistance 100,000 votes cast during the April 5 elections in central Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Sunday welcomed Maidan Wardak province were likely to be thrown out, the announcement of the first batch of partial results, which pending a probe into complaints, an Independent Election the mission noted were only a small proportion of the Commission (IEC) official said on Sunday. millions of ballots cast. The UN mission in a statement said IEC chief in Wardak Noorullah told Pajhwok Afghan the announcement based on 10 percent of votes tallied in 26 News they had registered about 38 complaints regarding provinces in a week’s time after the vote was a real fraud and other irregularities during the elections. logistical achievement. "While today’s release of partial Another IEC official, wishing not to be named, said results is a welcome step in the process, it only provides a presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah had secured first snapshot that will regularly be updated by the IEC until the highest number of votes cast in Wardak. His closest all result forms from every polling station have been rival Ashraf Ghani finished behind Abdullah in the votes tabulated and verified,” said UN Secretary-General’s counted, he said. Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of He said Dr. Zalmai Rassoul was in the third position UNAMA Ján Kubiš. followed by Qutbuddin Hilal and Abdul Rab Rassoul “Until the final results are announced by the IEC, Sayyaf. However, he would not go into specifics. stakeholders should be careful in drawing premature Sources told Pajhwok Afghan News there had been no conclusions so as not to create inaccurate expectations," he voting in the Jaghtu district of Maidan Wardak. said, and urged presidential candidates and their supporters Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/20000- to display patience while vote tallying was completed. votes-likely-be-thrown-out-wardak Full preliminary results covering the entire country are Sherzai alleges massive fraud in elections scheduled to be announced by the IEC on 24 April. By Ahmad Quraishi Apr 13, 2014 - 15:44 Following that, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) will adjudicate complaints regarding KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Muhammad the preliminary results. Shafiq Gul Agha Sherzai on Sunday said

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter that findings of his team showed instances of widespread He claimed the gunmen included an election observer with corruption in April, 5 presidential and provincial council whom he fell in a dispute on the election day in the polls. Shakarkhel area of Bak district. Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Sherzai said his Niazi claimed two of the gunmen attempted to kill him but team would wait until the Independent Electoral Complaint others resisted the move and let him go. Commission (IECC) made public its decision over the He said he had shared the matter with security officials alleged fraud related complaints. and the Independent Election Commission office in Khost. He rejected the remarks by the Independent Election He asked security officials to investigate the incident and Commission (IEC) officials that the last Saturday election find out to which group the gunmen had connections. was not as much fraudulent as of the 2009 ballot. An official at the police headquarters said they had not In the past polls, massive fraud was reported in favour of been formally informed about the incident. Pajhwok tried Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and President Hamid Karzai, while to seek comments from the IEC Khost office in this re- many government officials and commanders in various gard, but failed. provinces in this elections step forward against him. But he Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists in Kabul gave no further details. said in a statement that their two colleagues had been beat- The former governor said residents of various provinces, en in Khost and southeastern Paktia province. especially Nimroz and Herat who wanted to vote him, The statement said Lemar Niazi was kidnapped and se- confronted with lack of ballot papers. verely beaten in Khost and Zamari Kamran was physically Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/sherzai- abused in Paktia. alleges-massive-fraud-elections The union condemned both incidents and called on securi- ty forces to arrest those responsible. Meanwhile, a reporter with Zhwandoon TV was thrashed by public order police in eastern . The Afghan Journalist Protection Committee in a state- ment said the journalist was ill-treated at a gathering in Jalalabad. The public order police not only physically abused the reporter but also verbally insulted him, the statement said. Babrak Miakhel, the committee head for Nangarhar, said the victim, Ziyar Khan, was beaten in front of the gover- nor’s house despite showing his card to the police. The governor’s spokesman, Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, said the governor had talked to the public order police commander regarding the journalist’s mistreatment and that the matter was being seriously investigated. ma Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/13/election- observer-kidnapped-beaten-khost Election observer kidnapped, beaten in Khost By Javed Hamim Kakar Apr 13, 2014 - 19:20 Above 94pc ballot papers reach Kabul: IEC By Pajhwok Report Apr 14, 2014 - 20:13 KABUL (Pajhwok): An election observer on Sunday said he was severely beaten after being abducted by some KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 94 percent of result sheets gunmen in southeastern Khost province. and sensitive electoral materials from polling centres in The victim, Ali Gul, alias Lemar Niazi, told a press provinces had reached Kabul, an official said on Monday. conference in Khost City that he was abducted a day earlier Independent Election Commission (IEC) spokesman Noor from the city to a nearby Panzai village, where he was Mohammad Noor told reporters in Kabul the 94.4 percent subjected to violence and deprived of belongings. results of votes counted in provinces would be entered The former journalist had performed his duty as an observer into the IEC’s data system after a recount. during the April elections in the Bak district. He said sensitive electoral materials were delivered to the He said his harassers also threatened him that they would IEC headquarters under a close vigil of security forces. kill his family members and deprived him of money and cell phone.

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He said the votes tallying process had been successful so far Candidates urged to demonstrate patience and next partial results from the April 5 presidential vote By Zarghona Salehi Apr 14, 2014 - 17:11 would be announced next week. Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Complaints KABUL (Pajhwok): The UN Assistance Mission in Commission (IECC) said it had started recounting votes of Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other civil institutions on quarantined ballot boxes in northern Baghlan province. Monday welcomed release of partial results of April, 5 The vote recount of 30 electoral sites began in the presence polls, urging candidates to demonstrate patience, officials of election observers at a warehouse of the Independent said on Monday. Election Commission (IEC), where the suspicious boxes had A day earlier, partial results of 26 provinces, excluding been placed. Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Noorddin Wardak, chief of IECC regional office in Nuristan, Daikundi and Paktika were made public by the Baghlan, said they would separate fraudulent votes to Independent Election Commission (IEC). declare them void. Based on 10 percent votes (506,843 votes) from 26 of the Of 1,800 ballots polled for presidential candidates in country’s 34 provinces, the results showed Abdullah was Khawash area of Khost district, 1,600 were recounted as of in the lead with 41.9 percent or 212,312 votes, followed Monday noon, he said. by Ahmadzai with 37.6 percent or 190,561 votes. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/14/above-94pc- Dr. Zalmai Rassoul trailed far behind with 9.8 percent or ballot-papers-reach-kabul-iec 49,821 votes, Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf secured 5.1 percent or 25,679 votes, Qutbuddin Hilal 2.7 percent or Recount of suspect ballots begins in Balkh 13,536 votes and Muhammad Shafiq Gul Agha Sherzai By Zabihullah Ihsas Apr 14, 2014 - 17:15 2.2 percent or 11,132 votes. Another candidate Daud Sultanzoyi secured 0.5 percent or MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Independent Electoral 2,442 votes while Hidayat Amin Arsala bagged 0.3 Complaints Commission (IECC) officials on Monday percent or 1,360 votes. started recounting votes of quarantined ballot boxes in However, UNAMA in a statement, called the northern Balkh province. announcement a step toward completing the electoral The vote recount in Mazar-i-Sharif began in the presence of process and a good achievement for the election election observers at a warehouse of the Independent commission. Election Commission (IEC), where the suspicious boxes The statement noted that partial results of the elections had been placed. were changeable. It asked the protesting candidates to IECC chief in Balkh Dad Mohammad Anabi told Pajhwok demonstrate patience until the final results were Afghan News ballot boxes from 11 polling stations and one announced. polling centre had been put in quarantine. “Release of partial results is welcoming step forward in Most of the boxes had come from Zari district and the the electoral process,” the statement quoted the UN remaining from Mazar-i-Sharif, Kushanda, Charbolak, special representative, Ján Kubiš, as saying. Chamtal and Sholgar districts. Anabi said the vote recount The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan could last three days. (FEFA) spokesman, Fahim Naeemi, said the results had He said the audit and recount was being carried out in light been made public by the IEC in line with the relevant law. of complaints investigated so far. There were a total of 126 “We all know that this is not the final results, and it is complaints registered, he added. changeable. Thus the protesting runners should show Balkh IEC chief Izzatullah Arman, who was present at the patience,” he added. scene, told Pajhwok Afghan News the elections in Balkh Muhammad Naeem Ayubzada, head of the Transparent had gone well, but there had been instances of fraud Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), while calling committed by local commanders and powerful individuals. release of partial results indecisive, said that the objection He said one polling centre in Zari district had to be closed raised by the six presidential aspirants was appropriate. due to interference by two local illegal armed groups’ Before releasing the results, the election commission commanders. should have separated genuine votes from bogus ballot, he “The two commanders tried to seize control of ballot boxes added. from election officials, but their bid was prevented,” he Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/14/candidates- said. That was why most of the ballot boxes quarantined urged-demonstrate-patience belonged to the Zari district, he explained.Link: http:// www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/14/recount-suspect-ballots- begins-balkh

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He said complaints submitted with his office showed in- stances of electoral fraud and violations had taken place in some polling centres. “These reports indicate our employees were forced into stuffing ballot boxes at some polling stations,” he acknowledged. The move, he said, prompted him to re- quest the main IEC office in Kabul to quarantine ballot boxes of 17 polling stations in Balkh. In a latest development, the main IEC office on Tuesday ordered a recount of votes at 50 polling sites, Arman said, adding: “Votes of some ballot boxes or even some stations are likely to be declared as invalid.” Dad Muhammad Anabi, the ECC head in Balkh, said they Pajhwok appreciated for election coverage had received 126 complaints so far, forcing them to quar- By Hassan Khitab Apr 14, 2014 - 17:14 antine ballot boxes of some sites. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/15/warlords- KABUL (Pajhwok): Interior Minister Omar Daudzai on stuffed-some-ballot-boxes-balkh-official Monday praised media outlets and journalists for their positive and impartial role in the coverage of last week’s elections. Speaking at a special function regarding the media’s role, Daudzai said one of the major factors behind the successful conduct of the elections had been the neutrality of security organs and the widespread coverage by media outlets. He said journalists braved high security threats to cover the elections and had been cooperative with security forces. Media representatives attending the function praised security forces for protecting voters and polling centres and stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between security forces and media people. At the end, Dauzai presented media representatives, Locals beaten for refusing to vote for a specific runner including the director and a photographer of Pajhwok By Qutbuddin Kohi Apr 15, 2014 - 16:16 Afghan News, with awards and appreciation letters. www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/04/14/pajhwok-appreciated- MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Some tribal elders in northern election-coverage Faryab province on Tuesday complained they were beaten by gunmen of a local commander after they refused to Warlords stuffed some ballot boxes in Balkh: official vote for a candidate of his choice. Commander Dadi By Zabihullah Ihsas Apr 15, 2014 - 16:51 directed his gunmen to punish those refusing to vote in favour of presidential contender Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Some ballot boxes have they alleged. Sardar Bai, an influential figure from been found faulty after being interfered with by some Balcharagh district, complained he sustained wounds on warlords and their votes are likely to be declared invalid in his body when gunmen loyal to Dadi attacked him. Sakhi, northern Balkh province, an official said on Tuesday. a rival of Dadi, responded with thrashing elders Muham- The Independent Election Commission and the Electoral mad Tayyab, Khal Murad, Baig Nazar, Muhammad and Complaints Commission have been recounting votes of Arbab Ibrahim. Dadi, a former local militia commander, quarantined ballot boxes over the past few days in Balkh became furious after locals favoured Dr. Ashraf Ghani following complaints of fraud. Ahmadzai and Gen. Dostum, locals said. But Dadi, who is Izzat Arman, the IEC provincial office head, said the affiliated with the Jamiat-i-Islami party, rejected the voting process in Balkh had partially been interfered with allegations and said: “Many parties and groups are active by some warlords and influential figures. in Faryab. People are free to vote for a candidate of their choice. We did not interfere in this issue.”

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