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Karzai edges ahead in Afghan poll Karzai edges ahead in Afghan poll
(about 1 hour later)
Initial counting from Afghanistan's presidential election shows incumbent Hamid Karzai with a slight lead.Initial counting from Afghanistan's presidential election shows incumbent Hamid Karzai with a slight lead.
With 10% of the ballots counted, the election commission said Mr Karzai had 212,927 votes, compared to 202,889 for ex-Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.With 10% of the ballots counted, the election commission said Mr Karzai had 212,927 votes, compared to 202,889 for ex-Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
Final results are not expected for several weeks. A candidate needs more than 50% of votes to avoid a run-off.Final results are not expected for several weeks. A candidate needs more than 50% of votes to avoid a run-off.
Soon after the figures were announced, an explosion struck the southern city of Kandahar, killing at least eight.Soon after the figures were announced, an explosion struck the southern city of Kandahar, killing at least eight.
The explosion was reported to be a car bomb that struck the centre of the city, close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council. At least 13 other people were said to be wounded.The explosion was reported to be a car bomb that struck the centre of the city, close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council. At least 13 other people were said to be wounded.
Earlier it was reported that four US soldiers had been killed by a bomb in southern Afghanistan, bringing the number of foreign forces killed in 2009 to 295, the deadliest year since the US-led invasion to overthrow the Taliban.Earlier it was reported that four US soldiers had been killed by a bomb in southern Afghanistan, bringing the number of foreign forces killed in 2009 to 295, the deadliest year since the US-led invasion to overthrow the Taliban.
'Too early to call''Too early to call'
The Independent Election Commission said that so far 524,444 valid votes had been counted, with Mr Karzai on 40.6% and Mr Abdullah on 38.7%.The Independent Election Commission said that so far 524,444 valid votes had been counted, with Mr Karzai on 40.6% and Mr Abdullah on 38.7%.
ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul The results have been compiled from polling stations across the country, but are not necessarily indicative of the national picture.ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul The results have been compiled from polling stations across the country, but are not necessarily indicative of the national picture.
They do seem to be suggesting a closer race than expected, but people will be asking where these votes came from. Many seem to be from the north, where Mr Abdullah would expect to pick up ballots.They do seem to be suggesting a closer race than expected, but people will be asking where these votes came from. Many seem to be from the north, where Mr Abdullah would expect to pick up ballots.
A spokesman for the election commission was at pains to stress that this was only a partial result - 10% of the total vote. These figures also suggest that voter turnout was about 35% - less than half that of the first presidential race in 2004.A spokesman for the election commission was at pains to stress that this was only a partial result - 10% of the total vote. These figures also suggest that voter turnout was about 35% - less than half that of the first presidential race in 2004.
There have been widespread allegations of fraud and Western officials say that for this vote to be credible these must be thoroughly investigated.There have been widespread allegations of fraud and Western officials say that for this vote to be credible these must be thoroughly investigated.
Ramazan Bashardost has 53,740 votes so far and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is fourth on 15,143.Ramazan Bashardost has 53,740 votes so far and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is fourth on 15,143.
Only 2% of votes in Kandahar province have been counted and none in Helmand. Mr Karzai is expected to do well in both southern provinces.Only 2% of votes in Kandahar province have been counted and none in Helmand. Mr Karzai is expected to do well in both southern provinces.
The commission says it will release more results over the next few days.The commission says it will release more results over the next few days.
Before the announcement of the first results, Mr Abdullah called on Afghans to react calmly.Before the announcement of the first results, Mr Abdullah called on Afghans to react calmly.
"I'm urging Afghans... to be patient and to show responsibility. I think that the people don't want to resort to violence," he said."I'm urging Afghans... to be patient and to show responsibility. I think that the people don't want to resort to violence," he said.
Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said on Tuesday the initial results were not conclusive.Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said on Tuesday the initial results were not conclusive.
"You don't call it with 10%... it's too early to call," he said."You don't call it with 10%... it's too early to call," he said.
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says any preliminary claims about the result must be viewed with caution in the light of the allegations of fraud, corruption and ballot-stuffing and concerns about low voter turnout, especially in the south.The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says any preliminary claims about the result must be viewed with caution in the light of the allegations of fraud, corruption and ballot-stuffing and concerns about low voter turnout, especially in the south.
Other leading candidates: Ramazan Bashardost 53,740 (10.2%)Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai 15,143 (2.9%) Winning candidate needs more than 50% of votes to avoid a run-offOther leading candidates: Ramazan Bashardost 53,740 (10.2%)Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai 15,143 (2.9%) Winning candidate needs more than 50% of votes to avoid a run-off
The election commission is also being urged to wait until the official adjudicators, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), completes its investigation.The election commission is also being urged to wait until the official adjudicators, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), completes its investigation.
There are almost 800 complaints of fraud and irregularities and, out of these, 54 are considered to be very serious.There are almost 800 complaints of fraud and irregularities and, out of these, 54 are considered to be very serious.
Mr Abdullah has said that he has evidence that voting was widely rigged in favour of Mr Karzai. Mr Abdullah said he had submitted the allegations to the ECC.Mr Abdullah has said that he has evidence that voting was widely rigged in favour of Mr Karzai. Mr Abdullah said he had submitted the allegations to the ECC.
Another leading presidential candidate, Mirwais Yasini, told the BBC that workers from his campaign discovered about 800 ballots with ticks next to his name that he believes had been discarded from the ballot box.Another leading presidential candidate, Mirwais Yasini, told the BBC that workers from his campaign discovered about 800 ballots with ticks next to his name that he believes had been discarded from the ballot box.
Afghan and Western officials have declared last Thursday's poll a success, despite concerns about the turnout, especially in the insurgency-wracked south.Afghan and Western officials have declared last Thursday's poll a success, despite concerns about the turnout, especially in the insurgency-wracked south.
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force said there were more than 400 insurgent attacks on election day, which would make it one of the most violent days in Afghanistan since 2001.The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force said there were more than 400 insurgent attacks on election day, which would make it one of the most violent days in Afghanistan since 2001.
FROM THE PM PROGRAMME More from Radio 4's PM
Tuesday's explosion in Kandahar struck an area where there are hotels and offices of non-governmental organisations.Tuesday's explosion in Kandahar struck an area where there are hotels and offices of non-governmental organisations.
Agha Lalai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, told the AFP news agency: "It felt like an earthquake. The power went off and there was a huge explosion. Police have cordoned off the area and are busy with the wounded."Agha Lalai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, told the AFP news agency: "It felt like an earthquake. The power went off and there was a huge explosion. Police have cordoned off the area and are busy with the wounded."
Deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Sher Shah told Associated Press a number of houses and buildings had collapsed and the death toll was expected to rise.Deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Sher Shah told Associated Press a number of houses and buildings had collapsed and the death toll was expected to rise.


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