Afghan poll probe urged

AFGHAN election observers urged President Hamid Karzai’s government yesterday to allow an independent investigation into reports of widespread fraud during last weekend’s parliamentary elections, including intimidation of voters and interference by powerful warlords.

Also yesterday, Britain’s military handed the US responsibility for Sangin, a dangerous district in southern Afghanistan that has been the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting by British troops for the past four years.

Despite Taliban rocket strikes and bombings, Afghans voted on Saturday for a new parliament, the first election since a fraud-tainted presidential ballot last year.