KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday promised flaws in the first round of the presidential vote would not recur in the runoff.

IEC spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor told reporters in Kabul they would appropriately use the experience learnt from the first round in the runoff election to ensure transparency.

The final results of the presidential election are yet to be announced, but the commission plans a runoff in mid-June. He indicated preparations had been made for the possible second round, saying they ample progress had been achieved.

“We have been able to arrange most of the materials required for the runoff polls. The IEC is gradually moving ahead and will share its schedule with the people in due course of time,” he added.

Noor said before the announcement of final result, the IEC should fully know the outcome of complaints decided by the IECC. The scrutiny of objections ended yesterday.

Under the law, the IECC has to send its final report in complaints to the IEC. But Noor said the commission had not yet received the report. He explained the IEC would announce the final results after receiving the report from the watchdog.

In case there is no winner in the first round, the commission should set the runoff day while announcing the final results. The second round of polls should be held within two weeks after the final results are made public.

In order to meet some requirements, the commission says it may be difficult holding the runoff in the stipulated time.

Noor said the panel had a held series of meetings with security officials on the transfer of election materials and securing polling sites.

“IEC has worked out a new plan for the second round. All gaps have been filled which existed in the first round. More sites will be established in crowded localities…” the spokesman continued. 

About the results of provincial elections, Noor said 98 percent of the process had been completed. Votes from 1,024 sites have been reassessed, and the result sheets sent to the head office.

He hoped for the early completion of the process to let IEC announce the preliminary results of provincial council elections on June 7. (Pajhwok)