The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) announced on 11 October the release of provisional results from the 18 September elections in Bamiyan, Parwan, and Zabul provinces, bringing the number of provinces where all the votes have been counted to seven (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 7 October 2005).
JEMB Chairman Besmellah Besmel vowed that his agency will "not compromise the accuracy" of its counting operation and asked candidates for patience. There is a five-day period after each provisional result is announced in which complaints may be filed. Complaints will be adjudicated by the Electoral Complaints Commission before certified final results are released.
In the restive Zabul Province, former mujahedin commander and Taliban ally Mullah Abdul Salam Raketi appears to have won the highest number of votes and, unless challenged, is assured of a seat in the national People's Council (Wolesi Jirga). AT
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