Top Ghani rival Abdullah claims victory in Afghanistan election
Abdullah says the election will not go to a second round
KABUL: Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive and President Ashraf Ghani´s top rival, claimed victory Monday after the first round of voting in the presidential election over the weekend, though official counting is still ongoing.
"We have the most votes in this election," Abdullah said at a news conference.
"The results will be announced by the IEC (Independent Election Commission), but we have the most votes. The election is not going to go to a second round."
Elections were held amid tight security on Saturday in relative calm, though several small attacks, low turnout and complaints about the voting system heightened fears an unclear result could drive the country into further chaos.
Preliminary results are not expected before October 17 and final results not until November 7. If no candidate gets 51 per cent of the vote, a second round will be held between the two leading candidates.
Saturday’s presidential vote is the fourth since the Afghan Taliban was toppled.
-
Woman calls press ‘vultures’ outside Nancy Guthrie’s home after tense standoff -
Casey Wasserman to remain LA Olympics chair despite Ghislaine Maxwell ties -
Gigi Hadid feels 'humiliated' after Zayn Malik's 'pathetic' comment: Source -
Ontario tuition freeze ends, allowing colleges and universities to raise fees -
James Van Der Beek’s 'heartbroken' ex wife breaks silence of his death -
Kylie Kelce breaks silence on 'beef' with Dwayne Wade -
Suspect kills six across Florida before taking his own life -
Savannah Guthrie shares sweet childhood video with missing mom Nancy: Watch