Tally of Afghan ballots begins as boycott by opposition fades

BALLOT boxes poured into counting centres yesterday for a tally of the troubled presidential election in Afghanistan amid signs an opposition boycott was wavering.

This was after at least two candidates agreed to accept the ruling of an independent panel's inquiry.

Election organisers hope their decision, announced late Sunday, to establish a panel of about three foreign election experts to investigate the balloting will end the boycott, which many fear could seriously undermine the winner's ability to rule this war-ravaged nation.

A senior Western official who met with some of the 15 candidates said many had decided to back down and support the investigative team.

"Some of the candidates say they made that statement (the boycott) in too much of a rush," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"They are now looking for a way out that allows them to save face."

Only two of the candidates have publicly backed down, however, and the crisis was by no means over yesterday.

Election observers, the US Embassy and US-backed interim President Hamid Karzai have all sought to put the best face possible on Saturday's vote, noting that Taliban rebels were mostly silent and that turnout was high in a nation that has never before tasted democracy.

"The numbers and enthusiasm both were very, very great. It was unbelievable. A day of celebration, really, for the Afghan people," Mr Karzai said yesterday on NBC's Today show. "People braved attacks by terrorists and went to the election. This is really a victory of the Afghan people over terrorism."

Mr Karzai added that the election should be a slap in the face to Osama bin Laden and his followers.

"This election is a strong reminder to him that people don't want them, that the people want a different life," Mr Karzai said.

Boxes of ballots, some arriving by mule, were not expected to finish reaching counting centres until at least today.

Before the tallying of votes can start, the numbers of received ballots are checked against a list of votes cast to ensure none of the ballot boxes have been stuffed with fraudulent votes, UN officials said.

Then, the ballots from various districts are mixed together so no one knows which area favoured which candidate.

Actual counting may not start until tomorrow or Thursday, said electoral spokesman Sultan Baheen. Final results were not expected until the end of October.

"The counting will be done in full view of cameras," Mr Karzai told NBC. "Afghan television will telecast it direct from the counting stations. I am confident the count will be conducted properly."

Security chiefs in the provinces and Baheen said no major attacks had been reported on the transporting of the ballot boxes.

The top US commander in Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. David Barno, said the election could sound the rebels' death knell, and that Taliban leaders might "eventually look for ways to reconcile with the government that comes in."