Afghan election set for run-off

The Afghan presidential election will go to a second round, after no candidate reached the 50 per cent needed for an outright win, preliminary results show. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah won most votes with 44.9 per cent. Former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani came second with 31.5 per cent. They are now expected to face a run-off vote on May 28. Final official results are due to be announced on May 14 after a period for adjudication of complaints. The BBC’s David Loyn in Kabul says there are increasing claims of fraud. Full preliminary results were due two days ago. The delay has fuelled allegations on all sides that ballot boxes were stuffed and the count was rigged, our correspondent says. Abdullah and Ghani could now form a power-sharing deal, or choose to go to a second round. Before the results were announced, both men promised to fight in a run-off. “We have not talked or negotiated with anyone about forming a coalition government,” Abdullah told reporters on Thursday. Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the election. Turnout was double that of the previous presidential election in 2009, despite a number of attacks in the run-up and bad weather on polling day. Current President Hamid Karzai was constitutionally barred from standing for a third term. The next president will face several challenging issues, including the expected withdrawal of foreign combat troops later this year and attacks by the Taliban.