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Karzai edges ahead in Afghan poll Karzai edges ahead in Afghan poll
(31 minutes 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 212,000 votes, compared to 202,000 for ex-Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. With 10% of the ballots counted, the election commission said Mr Karzai had 212,000 votes, compared to 202,000 for ex-Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
However, there remain many allegations of fraud and the commission is investigating almost 800 complaints. However, there remain many allegations of fraud, and the commission is investigating almost 800 complaints.
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.
Rigging claims '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 Ian PannellBBC News, Kabul There is a sense that there was something of a rush to declare the poll a success, certainly in the first 24 hours after election day. Now things have calmed down, people are taking a more considered view. 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.
There are almost 800 allegations lodged with the Election Complaints Commission, 50 of them serious. 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.
To declare this was a success would indicate that there had been widespread turnout across the country. At the moment it seems that was not the case. 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.
Perhaps turnout was 40-50%. But we believe it was significantly lower in the south and particularly in outlying rural areas. We will have to wait and see what the figures are. There have been widespread allegations of fraud and Western officials say that for this vote to be credible these must be thoroughly investigated.
In the view of some, the number of attacks on the day indicates a high level of success for the Taliban, particularly if turnout in the south and east was as low as people fear.
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 partial 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.
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. Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said on Tuesday the initial results were not conclusive.
The election commission is also being urged to wait until the official election adjudicators, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), completes its investigations. "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.
Hamid Karzai is expected to pick up votes in southern provinces
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 which he believes had been discarded from the ballot box. The evidence has been handed 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 thst he believes had been discarded from the ballot box. The evidence has been handed to the ECC.
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 (Isaf) 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.
Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said on Sunday that allegations of fraud were to be expected. Mr Holbrooke said on Sunday that allegations of fraud were to be expected.
He added that Washington would wait for rulings from both Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission and the ECC before commenting on the election's legitimacy.