UN official admits fraud ‘widespread’ in Afghan election

THE top UN official in Afghanistan acknowledged yesterday there was “widespread fraud” in the August presidential election, responding to allegations by a former deputy that he had tried to downplay charges of ballot-stuffing by supporters of the incumbent.

Kai Eide refused to give specifics or lay blame to avoid influencing the ongoing recount.

Peter Galbraith, the top-ranking American in the UN mission, was fired on September 30 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after the widely publicised dispute over how to deal with the fraud allegedly committed on behalf of President Hamid Karzai.

The tainted vote threatens to discredit both the Afghan government and the international strategy for combating the Taliban insurgency.

During a news conference, Eide said he could “only say that there was widespread fraud” and that “any specific figure at this time would be pure speculation” until the recount is complete. Eide said Galbraith’s allegations against him “have affected the entire election process”.

Eide was flanked by ambassadors from the US, Britain and France in a silent show of international support for the UN mission and its embattled leader.

In a separate news conference, an impatient Karzai called for the results to be announced as soon as possible. “Day by day, Afghanistan faces moresecurity problems, there is a decrease in the national income, there is an increase in insecurity across the country, there is a negative impact on daily business,” he said. “I wish the electionresults could be announced sooner.”

Karzai said the “confusion” over the results had been “created by Western elements in our country”. He did not elaborate.

Last week, Galbraith said he was sticking by his allegations.

He accused the United Nations of failing to exercise its responsibility to oversee the Afghan elections, adding that “the flaw that took place in Afghanistan was preventable”.

Preliminary results released last month showed Karzai winning the election with about 54% of the vote.

However, a recount of suspect ballots, expected to be completed this month, would force a runoff with second-placed candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, if Karzai’s totals fall below 50%.