Afghan people await poll results

Opposition candidates' demand to nullify Afghanistan's first &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/353/12051_president.html' target=_blank>presidential election appeared to fade Sunday, as some moderated their stance in light of a consensus proclaiming that the election, while not problem-free, was a success because of the high turnout and the low level of violence.

Two of 15 candidates who had said they wanted the election reheld because of accusations of irregularities, most notably problems with supposedly indelible ink intended to prevent multiple votes, said they would accept the results of an independent investigation that officials announced Sunday. Negotiations were continuing with other candidates.

Reports trickled in about improper interventions in voting by poll workers and political party representatives loyal to a range of candidates, but outside observers pronounced the election to be largely positive. International organizations, which spent $200 million to finance the election, indicated that they had little patience for would-be spoilers challenging the vote's validity.

"The candidates' demand to nullify the election is unjustified," said a statement from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which had sent 40 electoral experts to &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2003/01/05/41643.html' target=_blank>Afghanistan, reports SFGate.