AN independent commission will probe claims by all 15 opposition candidates that Afghanistan's first direct presidential election was marred by incompetence and fraud, a top official said yesterday in an attempt to quash claims the vote was illegitimate.

An independent commission will probe claims by all 15 opposition candidates that Afghanistan’s first direct presidential election was marred by incompetence and fraud, a top official said today in an attempt to quash claims the vote was illegitimate.

All 15 candidates running against interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai have signed an agreement boycotting the vote because of what they say is widespread fraud, and say they will not recognise the election results.