KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said all those involved in electoral fraud should be held accountable under the relevant law.
Commenting on Independent Election Commission Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel’s resignation, the ex-foreign minister; “Everyone complicit in rigging has to be held accountable.”
At a news conference in Kabul, he once again accused senior officials of the electoral bodies and other high-ups of committing anomalies, including ballot-stuffing, in the June 14 runoff vote.  
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said about seven million had participated in the second round of the election. Abdullah called for re-election in areas where residents had not cast their ballots.
His team had been assured that all results fed into the IEC database would be investigated, he said. “We are seeking the right of a nation that doesn’t approve of fraud by the government. The nation knows well what has happened…”
Abdullah said he would congratulate his rival Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai if he was elected on the basis of valid votes. But the Change and Continuity team had been involved in massive fraud, he insisted. 
“We are here to defend each and every vote of the people,” he remarked, while stressing the election transparency.  A number of parliamentarians were present at the media briefing at Abdullah’s residence in Kabul.
Abdullah was informed of Amarkhel’s resignation as he spoke to journalists. All MPs demanded the trial of the IEC secretary.
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