Afghan elections' credibility critical

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The main opponent of Hamid Karzai in the Afghanistan elections accused the president of rigging the elections.

Amid growing charges of fraud and cheating by various opponents, Abdullah Abdullah, Karzai's chief rival, told CNN the president, in his efforts to win another term had "single-handedly put Afghanistan at risk by trying to rig the elections."

The elections' credibility and legitimacy are critical for the United States and NATO as they are engaged in an expanded campaign to end Taliban violence in the country.

The allied forces are counting both on clean elections and a stronger government in Kabul so the people will be convinced about the need for their continued assistance, the Washington Post reported.

The London Times said the charges of fraud and complaints, which could raise questions about the election's credibility, come at a time when the United States is trying to increase its civilian and military presence in Afghanistan. It said U.S. military commanders have reportedly told U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke they need more troops to defeat the Taliban.

The report said more than 1,100 election-related complaints have already been received and the Electoral Complaints Commission must first deal with them which could delay the announcement of the official results, creating a political limbo.

Waheed Omar, a spokesman for Karzai's presidential campaign, said complaints such as those from Abdullah were an "all out propaganda war" which were undermining the process of the Electoral Complaints Commission.