Probe into suspect ballots may change results: IECC

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Wednesday said ballot boxes, which had been quarantined, would be investigated next week in the presence of local and foreign observers.

IECC spokesman and member Nader Muhseni told reporters in Kabul that all suspect ballot boxes had been quarantined in coordination with the Independent Election Commission (IEC).

The central authority had appointed a delegation to open and investigate all quarantined ballot boxes next week in front of representatives from the media, civil society, political parties, representatives of candidates, local and foreign observer missions, he said.

He said 343 of 892 complaints classed a “Priority-A” had so far been investigated and the rest being probed, saying the investigations could impact election results.

The IECC has registered nearly 3,500 complaints, including 2000 having documents in support.

A day earlier, the IEC announced a recount of votes cast at 500 polling centres in the presence of observers and journalists.

Muhseni welcomed reports his  commission had received from election observers appointed by civil society and the two local watchdogs — the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) and the Transparent, the Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA).

He welcomed the reports, saying they indicated irregularities had been committed. He said such reports from international observers would be welcomed for the sake of transparency.

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