Afghanistan’s delayed presidential election results should be ready later this month, after technical problems with the counting, its Independent Election Commission said on Monday.
Afghans voted in presidential elections earlier last month despite Taliban threats and violence. However, the polling was marred by misconduct and accusations of fraud as well as controversy over what appeared to be low turnout and claims from a lead contender, Abdullah Abdullah, that he had won the vote.
The Commission said that the data of over one million voters has been transferred to servers after technical problems with biometric devices used in the voting process were sorted out .
‘Safeguard poll process’
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan urged in a statement on Sunday that the electoral commission safeguard and properly complete the election process.
“Afghan citizens braved security threats to cast their votes for a better future. Those voters deserve to be commended for carrying out their civic duty,” said the U.N. statement.
The statement called on all Afghan authorities and actors, including the government and the candidates to “protect the integrity of the process, especially with regard to tabulating and announcing the results.”
Over the weekend, Asadullah Saadati, the running mate of Mr. Abdullah, alleged systematic fraud in the elections.
Meanwhile in the capital Kabul, a high school principal was shot and killed in front of his home early on Monday by unknown gunmen, according to the city police chief’s office.
Published - October 14, 2019 10:27 pm IST
