 The IEC then explained that, even if the Electoral Complaints Commission, a separate, independently appointed body empowered to investigate electoral irregularities, threw out enough of these fraudulent ballots so as require a runoff (which was indeed the case), it was not technically possible to have a runoff before May 2010.Since Karzai's term had ended on 21 May 2009, he would illegally be in office a full year after his term ended in circumstances that could provoke unrest and even civil war.Nonetheless, Eide said that he told Galbraith that the plan was "unconstitutional" and "interference of the worst sort", which, if pursued, would provoke not only a strong international reaction" but also civil insurrection.