Karzai allows foreign monitors on electoral commission

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reversed an earlier decision and agreed to let two foreigners join the country’s election watchdog.

Karzai’s move comes amid international pressure to avoid a repeat of problems in last year’s presidential vote marred by allegations of fraud.

The move, however, will be exclusive to September’s parliamentary polls.

Last month, the Afghan leader amended a law to give himself full control of the electoral commission and appoint all its five members.

The body previously had three UN appointees. It had stripped Karzai of nearly one-third of his votes last year after complaints of vote rigging.