Afghan parliament vote delayed

KABUL, Afghanistan – Parliamentary elections scheduled for May 22 will be postponed until the fall, an Afghan official involved in the process said today – a move that is likely to be welcomed by Western countries pressing for reforms after a fraud-marred presidential poll.

The Afghan official said the Independent Election Commission made the decision because it lacks the $120 million needed to pay for the vote.

The official said the elections will be held on Sept. 18 instead. A Western diplomat confirmed the vote is to be postponed.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in exchange for releasing the information ahead of a formal announcement expected later today.

The U.N. and donor countries wanted more time to implement reforms after a fraud-marred presidential poll last year that re-elected Hamid Karzai as president.