In the course of its investigations, the ECC has found clear and convincing evidence of fraud in 5 polling stations in the province of Paktika. The ECC therefore ordered that the ballots in the following locations and elections are invalidated and must be excluded from the vote count.

Investigation and subsequent decisions about these polling stations were taken in response to Complaints received by the ECC during the polling and counting period. During investigation the ECC found clear and convincing evidence of fraud in the above mentioned stations. Such evidence includes indications from the ballot boxes, the forms accompanying the ballots, and the condition of the ballots themselves that the ballots were not legally cast, or were not legally counted.

The ECC also ordered the IEC to audit and recount the remaining stations in the above polling centers in the presence of observers, agents, and representatives of the ECC.

The ECC continues to investigate remaining Complaints concerning Paktika and other provinces.

The full texts of the relevant ECC Decisions are attached. ECC Decisions are the sole authoritative source for all sanctions mentioned in this Press Release. These and all other ECC Decisions are also available on the ECC website www.ecc.org.af.

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.

For more information, please contact:

Ahmad Muslim Khuram
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+93 (0) 798188605