WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Washington views the charges of fraud in the Afghan presidential election as an internal affair, though any claims should be taken seriously, officials say.
The international community heaped praise on Afghanistan in the days following the provincial and presidential elections Aug. 20. It was the second time Afghans participated in the democratic process, and their first-ever experience directing their own elections.
In the days that followed, however, mounting allegations of fraud have come forward, with election observers pointing to several charges that could affect the outcome. Meanwhile, ties between Kabul and Washington have turned sour amid claims of U.S. officials meddling in the process.
Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, flatly rejected those allegations, saying the entire election process was led by Afghans.
"I would reject any accusations of meddling," he said. "We've been very scrupulous to allow this election to be an Afghan-led and developed process."
He went out to address the claims of fraud, saying Washington urged the institutions in Afghanistan to take the matter "very seriously."
"What we want, what the international community wants, and what the Afghan people want is a result that accurately reflects the will of the Afghan people," he said.
Incumbent President Hamid Karzai has taken a modest lead over his closest rival, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. Neither candidate, however, has a clear majority in the polls.
