45 ballot boxes quarantined in Helmand

LASHKARGAH/ASADABAD (Pajhwok): At least 45 ballot boxes have been quarantined in southern Helmand province, while a vote recount of 10 ballot boxes is underway in eastern Kunar province, officials said on Thursday.

Regional Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief in Helmand Rahim Gul Alikhel told Pajhwok Afghan News votes cast in 10 of the 45 quarantined ballot boxes belonged to presidential candidates.

He added 62 complaints about electoral fraud and other irregularities had been registered and them 33 had so far been addressed and five rejected.

Alikhel said the complaints were filed in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, and some districts. No one has so far fined or introduced to the judiciary on fraud charges, he said.

In Kunar, 10 ballot boxes with votes cast for presidential candidates faced a recount.

Provincial IEC chief Mohammad Zahir Akbari said they had been ordered by the IEC main office to recount votes of 10 ballot boxes.

mds/ma