KABUL - The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) shared its findings about the elections with media on Thursday at a press conference.

TEFA reported that the runoff turnout was no more than six million, a figure much lower than the first round. The report also indicated that the runoff witnessed more challenges, riggings and violations compared to the first round.

Some of the issues highlighted in the report are as followed:

1. Stuffed ballot boxes in 218 centers in 16 provinces
2. Voting without using ink in 18 centers in 7 provinces
3. Double voting in 337 centers in 13 provinces
4. Armed and unarmed confrontations between supporters of candidates in 14 centers in 7 provinces
5. Voting of ineligible people in 581 centers in 27 provinces
6. Continuation of campaigns on Election Day in 512 centers in 25 provinces
7. Ballot shortages in 411 centers in 17 provinces
8. Low quality ink in 322 centers in 19 provinces
9. Delayed polling center opening in 418 centers in 23 provinces
10. Male voters substituting female voters in 213 centers in 17 provinces
11. Non-allowance of TEFA observers earlier in the day in 137 centers in 21 provinces
12. Lack of essential election materials (such as special light which helps recognize the ink used for voters fingers) in most centers in all 34 provinces

The Head of TEFA, Mohammad Naeem Ayoubzada, emphasized that government officials, President Karzai and international institutions should accelerate efforts to settle the electoral issues as soon as possible or the country could face a crisis.

"Both candidates have played key roles in the election process," Ayoubzada said. "As an election organizing body, the election commission must address the demands of the candidates with transparency and honesty. If a government institution creates problems or does not abide by the law, the government must act immediately."

However, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) stresses that the commission is a completely independent body and no institution is allowed to interfere in its affairs.

"IEC is the only institution which has legal authority to manage the elections," IEC Spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor asserted.

Meanwhile, a majority of election observer institutions have said that the runoff was more transparent than the first round. TEFA disagrees with the assertions.

"Our findings show that the runoff had more problems compared to the first round," Ayoubzada stated.

IEC countered TEFA's findings by rejection.

"There were not many TEFA observers present; they were unable to oversee elections in all provinces," Noor said. "Statistics about the participation of people in the elections should be based on realities."

The presidential runoff election has become one of the most debated topics, as people await the election results. (TOLO News)