Afghanistan postpones elections

AFGHANISTAN yesterday postponed parliamentary elections until September due to a lack of funding from donor nations after widespread fraud in last year’s presidential poll.

The announcement came as President Hamid Karzai left for Turkey, the start of a tour that will include Berlin and London. He will appeal for financial and other support for his government.

Another flawed election would erode support for Karzai’s government at a time when he has pledged to battle corruption and improve services as fighting against the Taliban escalates.