Observers warn:

Afghan vote not universally free

AFGHANISTAN: Obser- vers Saturday highlighted cases of fraud in Afghanistan's elections and said voting was not universally free due to violence and intimidation as speculation mounted about a possible run-off.

The top contenders in the race both claimed they were heading for victory after the second ever presidential election, which was acclaimed by the West but undermined by growing complaints of ballot-stuffing and low turnout.

Definitive results are not due until next month, leading Afghan and Western officials to call for calm as President Hamid Karzai declared a win and his main rival, ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, insisted he was ahead.

The election may have been hailed a success in foreign capitals, which have pumped billions into Afghanistan since the 2001 US-led invasion and deployed 100,000 troops to contain a Taliban insurgency, but concerns have mounted.

Kabul, Sunday, AFP