Speaking again on the unfolding scandal, UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide conceded today what everyone following the story has known for at least a month: that there was widespread fraud in August’s presidential election.

Eide followed up his admission by dismissing concerns about what, by all accounts, has been one of the most fraudulently run elections in history, insisting that the fact that the investigations hadn’t yet concluded proved that the “system is working.”

Eide’s role in the election fraud was brought to light following the firing of his chief assistant, Peter Galbraith. Galbraith says he was ordered by Eide to cover up the extent of the fraud, and claims Eide spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to assure him of his support after the UN had uncovered evidence that up to a third of Karzai’s votes were actually fraudulent.

Eide has staunchly denied the charges of a cover-up, but the UN’s Election Complaints Commission (ECC) has since issued its new rules covering the investigations, virtually ensuring that no matter how widespread the fraud Karzai will emerge victorious without a run-off.

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