Afghan presidential election, 2004

An election to the office of President of Afghanistan was held on October 9, 2004. Hamid Karzai won the election with 55.4% of the votes and three times more votes than any other candidate. Twelve candidates received less that 1% of the vote. It is estimated that more than three-fourths of Afghanistan's nearly 10 million registered voters cast ballots. The election was overseen by the Joint Electoral Management Body, vice-chaired by Ray Kennedy.

Related Topics:
President of Afghanistan - October 9 - 2004 - Hamid Karzai - Joint Electoral Management Body - Ray Kennedy

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After accusations of fraud circulated on the day of the election, at least fifteen candidates declared that they were boycotting the ballot, but the boycott dissolved when the United Nations announced it would set up a three-person independent panel to investigate the charges of irregularities. The panel included a former Canadian diplomat and a Swedish electoral expert, and the third member was later named by the European Union.

Related Topics:
United Nations - Canadian - Diplomat - Swedish - European Union

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The date was originally set for July 5. The elections were twice postponed, first until September, and then until October.

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Candidates for president also nominated two vice-presidenital candidates. Some candidates used this to balance their ticket with regard to Afghanistan's three main ethnic communities.

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If no candidate had secured 50% of the votes, a run-off election would have been held.

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This was Afghanistan's first direct election. In 1965 and 1969, there were legislative polls, but those elections were indirect.

Related Topics:
1965 - 1969

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