US for rigorous probe into vote counts

KABUL (PAN): The United States has expressed the hope investigations into complaints and required audits and recounts would be carried out rigorously and in a timely fashion with maximum cooperation between the two independent electoral bodies.

The US embassy in Kabul said in a statement: "The US awaits the final certified results, which will come after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) investigations of complaints and required audits and recounts, including of the over 600 polling stations that have been quarantined.

"As we await the results, we continue to urge candidates and their supporters to remain patient during this process," the statement said.

pr/ma