Around the World: Afghanistan

Election 'widely rigged'

The main challenger to Afghan President Hamid Karzai in last week's elections said yesterday he had evidence the ballot had been widely rigged.

With counting underway following Thursday's vote, the country is on tenterhooks ahead of an official result.

Yesterday former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who was given a fighting chance of pushing the election to a second round, said he had evidence of widespread rigging.

"The initial reports we are receiving are alarming," he said. "There might have been thousands of violations throughout the country, no doubt about it."

(China Daily 08/24/2009 page7)