KABUL (PAN): The Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) has fined President Hamid Karzai's running mate Karim Khalili for misusing his authority.
ECC chief Grant Kippen told journalists on Tuesday Khalili was fined 75,000 afghanis on the basis of complaints received by the Independent Election Commission (IEC).
Khalili traveled to northern Baghlan province for electioneering by a helicopter of the Defence Ministry, Maulvi Muhammad Mustafa Barakzai, a member of ECC, informed Pajhwok Afghan News.
Neither Khalili, campaigning for the incumbent president, nor Karzai's campaign manager was immediately available for comments on the ECC action.
Under the relevant rules, Khalili should have sought permission from IEC and Defence Ministry for using the helicopter before visiting Baghlan, Barakzai argued.
As many as 369 complaints have so far been lodged with the poll panel against candidates -- 98 of against presidential hopefuls, five against their running mates, 111 against provincial council nominees and 126 against government officials involved in violation of the electoral law.
Asked about allegations that Balkh Governor Atta Muhammad Noor is campaigning for Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Kippen confirmed receiving complaints in this regard. Appropriate steps would be taken after an investigation into the complaints was completed, he promised.
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