Abdullah leads in Afghan poll
Kabul: Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah is leading his closest rival Ashraf Ghani in the Afghanistan Presidential election after partial results of 26 provinces were announced by the nation’s Independent Election Commission said on Sunday. — AFP
Kabul, April 13: Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah is leading his closest rival Ashraf Ghani in early results from the Afghan presidential election, the Independent Election Commission said on Sunday, but figures indicate a likely run-off vote.
The eventual winner will have to lead the fight against a resurgent Taliban as US-led combat troops prepare to leave at yearend, and strengthen an economy reliant on declining aid money. “Today we announce the partial results of 26 provinces with 10 percent of votes counted, these include (provinces) in the north, south, east, west and Kabul,” said Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani, the IEC chief.
“With 5,00,000 votes from 26 provinces, Dr Abdullah is leading with 41.9 percent; Dr Ashraf Ghani has 37.6 percent and is in second; and Zalmai Rassoul has 9.8 percent in third position.” Mr Nuristani stressed the figure was only partial and could change drastically in coming days, when more partial results would be announced. A run-off election between the two leading candidates will be triggered if no single candidate gains more than 50 percent of the vote when the final results are announced in late May. — AFP