The United Nations's top election official, Carina Perelli of Uruguay, pictured in 2004, vowed to fight her dismissal over sexual harassment charges which she rejected as false. (Xinhua/AFP file)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations' top electoral official, Carina Perelli, has been fired by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for misconduct including sexual harassment, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

    "She has received a letter informing her of the secretary-general's decision to summarily dismiss her for misconduct, including sexual harassment, effective immediately," UN spokesman Stephanie Dujarric told reporters.

    Perelli, a Uruguayan and director of the Electoral Assistance Division, was charged with harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse of authority, the spokesman said.

    He said that the UN Office of Human Resources Management had interviewed dozens of people in its investigation into the case and Perelli was given several opportunities to respond to the charges.

    "Zero tolerance (of sexual harassment) means zero tolerance," he said. "We have a responsibility to act."

    Dujarric also confirmed that Perelli's work at the United Nations ended Tuesday and she can appeal against the ruling in line with the appeals process for the UN staff. Enditem