The latest blow to a vote already plagued by allegations of widespread corruption comes the day after NATO wrapped up a major summit in Lisbon where Afghanistan topped the agenda, particularly an exit plan for foreign troops there.
“Votes for tens of successful candidates are going to be disqualified over fraud,” said the source, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal the eliminations.
The candidates will not be able to appeal against the decision, he said.
Final results have still not been released more than two months after the Sept. 18 parliamentary poll.
Complaints about fraud and vote rigging began before Afghans even went to the polls, although limited violence on the day meant it was initially hailed by Afghan officials as a success.
The candidates have been eliminated by the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC).
The ECC will pass the list of rejected candidates to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which is tasked with announcing the list of new members of the wolesi jirga, or lower house of parliament.
The IEC is itself being investigated by the attorney general’s office over election fraud.
The credibility of the eventual result will weigh heavily when US President Barack Obama reviews his Afghanistan war strategy next month amid rising violence and sagging public support.
Civilian and military casualties this year have been the highest since the overthrow of the Taleban in 2001, despite the presence of around 150,000 foreign troops, and violence has spread to previously peaceful northern and western provinces.
