UN team: Afghan election tainted by fraud

The UN-backed watchdog investigating Afghanistan’s election said today it found “clear and convincing evidence of fraud” and ordered a recount at some polling stations.

The commission did not say how many would need to be recounted, but that it had so far identified questionable results in Ghazni, Paktika and Kandahar provinces and that investigations were continuing.

It said that stations showing 10 % turnout or with a presidential candidate receiving more than 95% of the vote will need to be recounted.

Widespread allegations of ballot-box rigging and suspicious counts are threatening the legitimacy of the election.