Afghanistan Fraud in The September Parliamentary Elections

KHOST NEWS

IEC Statement on Retrieval, Turnout and Contingency Materials

20 Sept 2010

The IEC is continuing to oversee the retrieval of materials from polling on 18 September 2010. Two

days after elections, 73% of sensitive materials such as ballot boxes have been retrieved to IEC offices

in provincial capitals. One hundred percent of materials in Helmand, Jowzjan, Kapisa, and Kabul have

been retrieved while provinces with hard to reach areas, such as Badakhshan, Ghor, and Daikundi, have

between 30-50% of materials retrieved. Provincial IEC offices are in turn forwarding results forms to

the National Tally Center at IEC headquarters.

The IEC takes this opportunity to reiterate information on voter turnout as announced on 18 September.

Voter turnout was calculated based on the maximum number of voters planned for, which were

estimated through population statistics. By the end of polling on 18 September the IEC only received

reports from approximately 79% of planned polling centers (86% of polling centers reported open),

providing an initial turnout figure of 3,642,444 voters. Approximately 9.2 million voters were allocated

to these polling centres out of a total allocation of 11.4 million voters for all polling centers. More

complete information on all opened polling centers is expected to be released in conjunction with

results.

Reports that contingency materials could not be distributed to polling centers have also been received by

the IEC. It is important to point out that strict control of materials is one of the principles of fraud

mitigation the IEC adheres to, and stringent procedures exist to ensure that these materials are not used

to facilitate fraud and misconduct. A total of 255 polling centers received contingency materials on

Election Day. Of those, logistical constraints prevented delivery to several centers in hard to reach areas

such as Jawand District, Badghis and Darwaze Bela Mamai district, Badakshan. Isolated cases where

voters could not vote due to lack of materials are certainly regrettable but at the same time highlight the

risks of holding elections in the current security and logistical climate.

Finally, the IEC notes that some media outlets and observer groups have been quick to imply the

electoral process is unsuccessful based on allegations of fraud and misconduct. The IEC acknowledges

that cases of fraud and misconduct are inevitable in the current security climate and is fully committed

to working with the Electoral Complaints Commission to eliminate the effect from the final results

insofar as possible. The IEC reminds these outlets that the process is not yet completed and urges media

and observer groups to display restraint in their statements, in order to permit voters to decide on the

legitimacy of the process as it continues to unfold.