It’s a real hard thing to prove. Who is going to survive to testify about that? That is our challenge. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying. We want to get to the bottom of it.
USAID Office of Inspector General representative Dona Dinkler • Regarding reports that some taxpayer money meant to go to rebuilding infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, in Afghanistan (currently at $7.5 billion between 2002 and now) has instead been funneled to the Taliban. Which should probably make a lot of taxpayers angry if it’s true. • source
Not a single person in Shorabak District cast a ballot — not a single person. Mr. Karzai’s people stuffed all the ballot boxes.
Afghan regional governor Delaga Bariz • Regarding claims of widespread vote-tampering across the country. According to Bariz and others, Hamid Karzai had some of his right-hand men come into the Shorabak region (which Abdullah Abdullah was destined to win), close the 45 local polling places, bring the ballot boxes to the election headquarters and stuff them with thousands of ballots favoring Karzai. Pretty serious allegations. • source
I don’t find a place for myself in this mafia-type system.
Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah • Regarding last week’s presidential election and the suggestion that he could share power with president Hamid Karzai. With 17 percent of votes counted, Karzai is leading 42 percent to 33 percent, and needs a simple to majority to avoid a runoff. • source
The initial reports we are receiving are a bit alarming, I must say. There might have been thousands of violations throughout the country, no doubt about it.
Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah • Discussing the results of Friday’s election. He says that his team has lodged more than 100 complaints in the election. No matter the results of the election, current president Hamid Karzai will likely not win the election the first time – he needs to win by more than 50% to avoid a runoff. Preliminary results will be announced on Tuesday. • source