Fraud again likely in 2nd Afghan votel: UN

The top UN official in Afghanistan says that the extensive fraud that marked the first round of presidential elections cannot be eliminated in the next round on November 7, but that it can be reduced.

The top UN official in Afghanistan says that the extensive fraud that marked the first round of presidential elections cannot be eliminated in the next round on November 7, but that it can be reduced.

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Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide also says the security situation has not improved since the August 20 ballot, when threats by Taliban militants resulted in a very low turnout despite a massive campaign by NATO troops and government forces to prevent attacks. Eide's remarks come as the Obama administration is working on a strategy to prevent fraud from occurring in the runoff presidential election set for November 7.

Eide's reputation was tarnished when his deputy Peter Galbraith alleged that the U.N. mission chief played down allegations of widespread ballot-stuffing by Karzai's supporters.