KABUL (PAN): Presidential candidate Sarwar Ahmadzai Wednesday demanded re-elections in 12 provinces where irregularities were reported during the August 20 polls.

However, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) said a decision on re-election would be made after the fraud charges were assessed by the commission.

Sarwar Ahmadzai told a press conference in Kabul most of the rigging took place in  Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Zabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan, Logar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost provinces.

He accused supporters of Hamid Karzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah of involvement in irregularities. He said the rigging ranged from ballot box stuffing to voting by minors. Sarwar said he had spoken to ECC officials in this regard.

Fahim Hakim, a member of ECC, did not specifically comment on the complaint from Sarwar Ahmadzai, but said they had received allegations of irregularities from several candidates.

Fahim made it clear candidates had no right to decide on re-elections. He explained the ECC was competent to invalidate polling in a certain area or announce re-election.

mnm/mud