Washington, Sept. 27 (PTI): Former US President Jimmy Carter, has said the November presidential elections in Florida between incumbent George W Bush, and John Kerry might see a "repetition of the problems of 2000" as "some basic international requirements for a fair election are missing" there.

Four years ago, Democrat Al Gore, was found to have obtained more votes than Bush in the Florida election, whose results were decisive in that close contest, but large numbers of Black votes were disqualified and the Supreme Court of the United States decided in favour of Bush.

"The disturbing fact is that a repetition of the problems of 2000 now seem likely, even as many other nations are conducting elections that are internationally certified to be transparent, honest and fair," the highly-respected former President wrote in The Washington Post today.

"After the debacle in Florida", he wrote, "former (Republican) President Gerald Ford, and I were asked to lead a Blue Ribbon Commission to recommend changes in the American electoral process." Unanimous recommendations were presented to the President and Congress and the Government responded with the Help America Vote Act of October 2002.

"Unfortunately, however, many of the Act's key provisions have not been implemented because of inadequate funding and political disputes," he said adding, "some basic international requirements for a fair election are missing in Florida".

Most significant is a "nonpartisan Electoral Commission", he wrote, also harping on "uniformity in the voting procedure so that all citizens, regardless of social or financial status, have equal assurance that their votes are cast and will be tabulated with equal accuracy".