GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Failed Wolesi Jirga candidates from southern Ghazni province, alleging widespread fraud in the September 18 vote, on Sunday renewed their demand for re-election.

A huge demonstration against the certified tallies was to be staged in Ghazni City today, the provincial capital, but it was cancelled in the supreme national interest, they said.

Speaking to journalists near the Ghazni police headquarters, some of the protesting candidates called the election results illegal and unfair.

One of them, Abdul Jabbar Shalgari told Pajhwok Afghan News no voting had taken place in 13 districts of Ghazni on Election Day because of insecurity and 80 percent of voters had been deprived of their franchise right.

The election had no legality because the process had been far from transparent, according to Shalgari, who said he had told security agencies if the situation did not allow fair polls, then there was no need for such an exercise. But security officials disagreed with his suggestion.

Polling centres remained closed due to insecurity and ballot boxes were flown by helicopter to districts, he added.

Another candidate named Abdul Rahman said there were many tribes in Ghazni. Candidates from one tribe could not represent the whole province, he reasoned. Of the 83 parliamentary candidates in Ghazni, only 11 from the Hazara tribe succeeded.

Police chief, Col. Zarawar Zahid confirmed disgruntled candidates, who wanted to stage demonstrations, changed their mind after a meeting at the police headquarters.

Elsewhere in the south, demonstrators blocked the Khost-Gardez highway for several hours in protest against what they called massive fraud in the election.

Chanting slogans against the election commission head and workers, they warned of continued protests if their demand for a scrutiny of results was not met.

Ghazi Nawaz Tanai, a failed candidate, alleged all successful contenders in Khost had used unfair means during the election.

Another protesting candidate, Eng. Badshah Subhan, said they supported the stance of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) against the two election commissions. Subhan claimed he had been asked to pay $250,000 if he wanted to win the election.

am/mud