KABUL (Pajhwok): In the run-up to the final outcome, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Monday evaluated more than 240 complaints.
Representatives of civil society, candidates and media outlets attended the third public hearing into complaints from Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan, Herat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor and Nimroz provinces.
Most of the complaints were recorded in Kandahar and Herat provinces against Zalmai Rassoul and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Fraud by election workers, security forces and warlords were among the objections.   
Speaking on the occasion, IECC Chairman Abdul Sattar Sadat said: “After considering documents, decisions and views of our provincial officials and representatives of candidates, we will announce our decision.”
Asked if preliminary results would be affected as by the complaints, he said candidates’ representatives had given good reasons in some instances, but in other cases, their responses were weak.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Abdullah, Zalgai Sajjad said photographs and video footage showed ballot boxes were illegally opened. Violators should be brought to justice because it was an illegal practice, he demanded.
Abdul Rauf Zahid, a representative of Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, said the complaints from Kandahar were not supported by evidence.
m/mud