Afghan electoral officials step down

The head of Afghanistan's election commission and his deputy have stepped down, an official said today in a move that could help…

The head of Afghanistan's election commission and his deputy have stepped down, an official said today in a move that could help placate Western concerns over fraud ahead of a parliamentary election in September.

"The working period of Mr. Azizullah Ludin, director of the Independent Election Commission has finished and will not be extended," Afghan president Hamid Karzai's chief spokesman told a news conference.

"Daoud Ali Najafi has also resigned from his position which has been approved by the president of Afghanistan," he said, referring to the body's chief electoral officer.

Reuters