Afghan leader to allow foreign election monitors

[Robb]

Source: AP

KABUL — Afghanistan's president has agreed to reverse an earlier decision and allow two foreigners on a commission monitoring upcoming parliamentary elections, his spokesman said Saturday.

President Hamid Karzai's move comes amid pressure to avoid a repeat of last year's fraud-tainted presidential vote.

Last month, Karzai signed a decree allowing him to appoint all five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission in consultation with parliamentary leaders and the head of the Supreme Court. The body previously had three U.N. appointees.

The decree was criticized as a bid to control the body, which stripped Karzai of nearly one-third of his votes last year after complaints of ballot stuffing. Karzai was forced into a runoff but was declared the victor after his remaining challenger dropped out of the race.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9EDORDO0

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If you're wondering why, it's because of everything I've been saying about Karzai being on the outs. For a more nuanced read on the matter, I suggest this morning's editorial in the Asia Times, "A titanic power struggle in Kabul".