Election Complaints Commission

Don't mention the veto

In recent days, a deal has finally done between the international community and the Karzai government on the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

The agreement means a clash between parliament, the president and the international powers has been avoided - for now.

Part of the framework for the parliamentary elections, due to be held on September 18th, has been finalised. It goes some way to clarify the rules for this year's poll.

Earlier in the year, the Afghan president had issued a binding decree, which angered both the international community and many Afghan MPs.

It appeared to remove the three international members of the five-person Election Complaints Commission, in effect the "court of appeal" for the electoral process.

Audit of votes