KABUL - The election observer institutions on Monday raised concerns over brawls between the candidates about the finalization of the vote auditing checklist, which defines the process that will certify the method of invalidating ballots.

The monitoring bodies asserted that the auditing method could be pushed to a stalemate if candidates do not agree on the inspection procedures soon.

"If there are no legal frameworks and procedures, there is a possibility that the process will face challenges," head of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), Mohammad Naeem Ayoubzada, said.

Furthermore, Chairman of Afghanistan Election Watch, Jandad Spinghar, asserted that it is important for the candidates to rely on international standards.

"Both sides have agreed on a set of standards. There are ways to implement these principles on the basis of global standards," Spinghar said. "Neither candidate should refuse to execute the said standards."

It is not yet clear which campaign team has raised concerns over the auditing process. But reports indicate that negotiations are underway between presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah and opponent Ashraf Ghani-Ahmadzai's camps regarding Abdullah's recommendations to the United Nations (UN).

"I think that our opponent has not approved the recommendations yet. The issue is between the UN and Ghani-Ahmadzai's camp," said Fazel Ahmad Manavi, who is in charge of the technical negotiations in Abdullah's camp. "The recommendations should be approved soon as our demands are completely in line with international standards."

Ghani-Ahmadzai's team has stated that negotiations to resolve the issue are underway with all the involved parties.

"Negotiations are not just between the two teams but also with the UN and other involved institutions," Ghani-Ahmadzai's camp spokesman Tahir Zuhair said. "The procedures must be acceptable to all parties."

Meanwhile, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the two camps will reach an agreement soon.

"The disagreements are not serious and will not undermine the agreements," UNAMA Spokeswoman Neelab Mubarez said. "The candidates have reached a consensus; we ask them to keep up the same spirit and put an end to the prolonged process."

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has also expressed optimism about resolving the recent disagreements.

"We are optimistic about the outcomes of the talks," IEC Spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor said. "We have made many good pacts thus far and we hope that the procedure is finalized soon."

The candidates have yet to reach an agreement and conclude the specific technicalities in the audit process. Finalization of the procedure is considered a crucial step in pushing the election process forward. (Tolonews)