U.N. envoys calls for calm in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A U.N. official urged calm and patience in Afghanistan as election officials deal with the various complaints relating to last week's polls.

"I say to candidates, campaigners, voters, and media, that you must respect this process. This is a critical part of it. Respect also means demonstrating patience," Kai Eide, special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General, told reporters during a visit to the Electoral Complaints Commission's headquarters in Kabul, U.N. News said.

Eide, who is also the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, met with members of the commission to find out how they deal with complaints of fraud and cheating filed by candidates and voters.

Of the complaints received so far, the report said, the commission had classified 54 as "Priority-A," which, if proved, could affect elections results.

Eide said he was concerned about every irregularity, noting the commission would make every effort to address all complaints.