The ECC orders the IEC to conduct an audit and recount at polling stations that exceed thresholds proven to be strong indicators of electoral irregularities.

In the course of its investigations, the ECC has found clear and convincing evidence of fraud in a number of polling stations. The overwhelming majority in which the ECC found clear and convincing evidence of fraud were also characterized by either an exceptionally high number of presidential votes cast per station in relation to the number of ballots available; or an exceptionally high percentage of ballots cast for only one candidate; or both. The ECC also notes that the overwhelming majority of stations in which it found fraud had a number of ballots cast that were far in excess of what could be expected based on credible observer reports of low voter turnout.

In the light of this evidence and the ECC’s decisions regarding fraudulent voting, the ECC decides in accordance with its authority under Articles 49(2) and 54(e) of the Electoral Law that it is necessary and appropriate to conduct an audit and recount ballots cast at polling stations that exceed certain thresholds that have proven to be strong indicators of electoral irregularities.

The ECC has therefore ordered the IEC to conduct an audit and recount of ballot boxes for the Presidential election in polling stations nationwide for which the preliminary results indicate either (i) that the total number of votes cast in a polling station for the Presidential election is equal to or greater than 600, which represents a 100 percent turnout based on the IEC’s pre-poll estimate of likely voters in that location, or (ii) that any one Presidential candidate received 95 percent or greater of the total valid votes cast in a polling station; provided that the total number of votes cast in the polling station exceeds 100. Such audits must be conducted in the presence of observers, agents and representatives of the ECC.

Investigation is ongoing and further provincial visits are being scheduled. The full text of the ECC’s order is attached.

Reminders
• In order for the elections results to be certified, the ECC must first adjudicate Complaints it has received;
• The number of Category A Complaints is subject to change; investigation may result in an A Complaint reassessed as a B Complaint and vice versa;
• The number of Complaints does not reflect the number of required decisions; one decision may address allegations that are contained in several Complaints;

The Electoral Complaints Commission of Afghanistan is an independent body established under Article 52 of the Electoral Law to adjudicate all complaints concerning the electoral process. Complaints must be submitted within 72 hours of the offence. All complaints submitted to the ECC will be dealt with in an impartial, transparent and timely manner. The ECC will be thorough about serious cases, and candidates and their supporters should be patient for the outcome of the complaints process.