KABUL - The recount of votes from last year's parliamentary election lacked transparency, because procedures for the exercise were not put in place beforehand in any province, the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) said on Sunday"In most provinces, it was observed that representatives of the organs forming the provincial recount staff constantly changed. For example, a representative attending the recount today was replaced by another the next day," the election watchdog said in a report.
About special election court that was formed on December 15 to investigate poll fraud charges, the foundation called the panel a "damaging step in the wrong direction on electoral reform".

The report said an acceptable result could not be produced by a recount with serious technical flaws. FEFA urged the court to cease functioning immediately and avoid announcing results of the recount. "Cases of serious wrongdoing should be dealt with by regular judicial channels."
But Abdul Kabir Ranjbar, an unsuccessful candidate from Kabul, said: "The recount result will be acceptable to us." No state organ could interfere in judicial affairs, he told Pajhwok Afghan News. (Pajhwok)