KABUL - The Independent Election Commission announced on Sunday that the audit process has officially started after a seven hour delay.

IEC Spokesman Noor Mohmmad Noor said at the press conference in Kabul on Sunday that the audit process is underway with the participation of international and national observers and presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani-Ahmadzai's technical team.

The audit process has begun without Abdullah Abdullah's electoral team because of disputes regarding the criteria used for invalidating fraudulent votes.

"IEC's door is open to Abdullah's electoral team to participate in the audit process," Noor said.

He said that 19,900 ‎ ballot boxes have arrived in Kabul thus far and the remaining boxes will arrive soon.

IEC's Chairman, Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani announced on Saturday that the audit process will start on Sunday at 7 a.m. but was delayed for seven hours with Abdullah's team not participating in the process as an outcome.  (Tolonews)