KABUL - The Meshrano Jirga, commending the performance of the media and security forces, on Sunday urged the electoral commissions to investigate fraud in the runoff vote.

The second round of the presidential election was held on Saturday. Despite more than 270 attacks by armed rebels, people across the country streamed to polling centres to exercise their franchise.

During an upper house debate on election security, Senator Najiba Hussaini described holding of the runoff polls as a victory of the people. “Our people successfully passed another major test by rejecting violence and terrorism.”

She alleged forcing the people to vote for a certain candidate and fraud in some parts has marred the second round of the election: “Those involved in widespread rigging should be brought to justice.”

Senate Secretary Azizullah Ulfati, while praising the dedication and hard work of the security forces, warned that ignoring election law violations would plunge the country into crisis.

He called for all institutions concerned and presidential runners to refrain from rushing to judgments on election results, believing such moves could harm the process and create confusion.

Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, the first deputy chairman who chaired the session, also praised the security forces, media and people’s active participation in the election.

Asking the commissions to stay neutral in reviewing complaints, he said President Hamid Karzai had so far demonstrated neutrality in the electoral process. The government should continue to be impartial until the result was announced, he remarked. (Pajhwok)