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.