KABUL - At the end of public hearings, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Wednesday urged the presidential candidates to help ensure electoral justice.

IECC Chairman Abdul Sattar Sadat acknowledged of rigging and fraud had been committed in the June 14 runoff vote. He said the election commission should responsibly discharge its duties in resolving the problems.

He admitted the commission had taken inadequate steps to ensure the transparency of the election process. “Despite time constraints, we are determined to ensure electoral justice...”

They would continue auditing suspect votes, he said, hoping the panel would receive assistance from both presidential hopefuls.

Sadat urged the Abdullah-led Reform and Unanimity team to help IECC separate genuine votes from the bogus ones.  The IECC was the only legal forum to review election complaints, he explained.

“We hope to take a fair decision on the future of Afghanistan, as people deserve it. Let’s ensure the legitimacy of the process and the election of a genuine government. The Afghans defied threats, lost fingers for the sake of voting,” he remarked.

More than 2,500 complaints and appeals were addressed at four public hearings by the complaint commission. Most of the complaints were lodged against the Reform and Unanimity team. (Pajhwok)