Afghanistan delays election

Cash-strapped Afghanistan today postponed parliamentary elections planned for May 22 until the autumn.

An Afghan official involved in the election process, said the Independent Election Commission made the decision because it lacked the €85m needed to pay for the vote.

The official said the elections would instead be held on September 18. A Western diplomat confirmed the vote was to be postponed.

Both officials spoke anonymously ahead of a formal announcement expected later today.

Western countries are expected to welcome the move, which will allow more time to implement reforms after a fraud-marred presidential poll last year.

The United Nations and donor countries wanted more time to implement reforms after the discredited election last year that returned Hamid Karzai as the leader of the war-torn country.

Ali Najafi, head of the election commission, has said the commission needs about €35m from the international community to meet the election’s estimated budget of €85m.