Ballot Counting Proceeds Apace In Afghanistan

Ballot Counting Proceeds Apace In Afghanistan -- UN

Some 80,000 ballots in Afghanistan's historic presidential election have already been tallied, and the process is proceeding at a steady pace, a United Nations spokesman announced today.

"Since this morning all eight counting centres began mixing, sorting and counting ballots," Manoel de Almeida de Silva told journalists in Kabul. All ballot boxes from all locations expected to arrive at the centres by tomorrow.

He also reported that last Thursday, the Impartial Panel of International Experts set up to look into complaints about the election process had met with a dozen candidates or their representatives. "The meeting was very cordial and open, enabling a frank and constructive exchange."

The Panel, which has about 100 written complaints from just about every candidate, is going through each. "Further meetings with the candidates, as the investigation moves on, are also expected to take place," Mr. de Almeida e Silva said.

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