The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) expressed concern on Monday over widespread fraud in the Afghan parliamentary electionsBallot stuffing in favour of certain candidates, the use of forged voter cards, threats by influential candidates, men voting on behalf of women, and the involvement of some Independent Election Commission (IEC) workers in fraud were among the main challenges FEFA highlighted and urged strict actions against violators.
FEFA had 7,000 observers covering around 60 percent of polling stations.
"Our observers again witnessed and registered widespread fraud in the elections throughout the country, and also more than 300 cases of threats and pressure by local influential people against voters and election candidates were registered," Nadir Naderi, head of FEFA told reporters in a conference.
According to FEFA, Afghans under 18 have repeatedly voted in 1259 voting centres, forged voter cards have been used in 352 polling centres, ballot boxes have been filled in favour of particular candidates in 280 polling stations, and low-quality finger ink was used in 489 polling centres.
FEFA's observers have also witnessed people voting more than once in 1228 polling centres and 315 centres lacked electoral material.
FEFA said despite full security measures taken by the Afghan National Security Forces during the elections, more than 276 violence related incidents were recorded.
"Electoral fraud was committed throughout the country by those still related to the illegal bad turban groups or the leaders of such groups," Naderi said.
"There are powerful people who are used to creating fear among the people," he added.
The lack of international observers and the delay in vote counting in 243 polling stations were among other challenges during the elections.
The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) urged president Karzai to strongly support the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) to follow and investigate the issue and to order the judicial institutions to put violators on trial.