Runoff more transparent than 1st round: FEFA

KABUL (FEFA) on Tuesday said its investigations showed fewer instances of fraud and election law violations had taken place in the runoff vote.

The watchdog said more than 9,000 of its observers monitored the crucial phase of the presidential election, covering 70 percent of polling sites across the country.

FEFA Chief Executive Yusuf Rashid told reporters in Kabul their findings showed the voting started two hours late at 176 sites. At least 217 sites ran out of ballot papers before noon and 120 in the afternoon. There were 269 instances of poor quality election ink.

In 240 cases, he said, posters of candidates were seen installed near polling centres. In other cases, some polling centres stayed open beyond the formal closing time.

FEFA Director Nader Naderi said 127 polling sites experienced threats from the Taliban and warlords on the Election Day.

He said incidents of ballot stuffing occurred in various parts of the country and at some polling centres, supporters tried to commit fraud in favour of their candidates.

Naderi said in 114 instances, votes were cast by ineligible individuals and men voted on behalf of their women. Negligence had been committed in issuing voter cards, he continued.

In response to a question, Naderi said: “In some parts, the voting took place in more transparent way than the April 5 polling.”

Transparency of the electoral process and a peaceful political transition relied on an dependent and fair job by the two electoral bodies, he said, believing any wrongdoing could hurt people’s trust in future elections.  

In its report, FEFA asked both candidates to avoid fueling ethnic differences and creating a negative environment.

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