This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8240534.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Karzai extends Afghan poll lead Karzai closer to Afghan poll win
(10 minutes later)
Partial results from Afghanistan's presidential election show incumbent Hamid Karzai has extended his lead.Partial results from Afghanistan's presidential election show incumbent Hamid Karzai has extended his lead.
With three quarters of votes counted, Mr Karzai had 48.6%, followed by Abdullah Abdullah with 31.7%.With three quarters of votes counted, Mr Karzai had 48.6%, followed by Abdullah Abdullah with 31.7%.
Both have claimed victory after the 20 August poll, which has been marred by fraud allegations.Both have claimed victory after the 20 August poll, which has been marred by fraud allegations.
Some results have been annulled due to irregularities, officials said. The winner needs to secure an outright majority of 50% to avoid a run-off.Some results have been annulled due to irregularities, officials said. The winner needs to secure an outright majority of 50% to avoid a run-off.
Independent Election Commission (IEC) official Daud Ali Najafi said results from 447 of about 28,000 polling stations had been annulled, following fraud investigations. Independent Election Commission official Daud Ali Najafi said results from 447 of about 28,000 polling stations had been annulled, following fraud investigations.
He told Sunday's news conference in Kabul that out of 4.3m valid votes, Mr Karzai had so far won 2.08m and Mr Abdullah 1.36m.He told Sunday's news conference in Kabul that out of 4.3m valid votes, Mr Karzai had so far won 2.08m and Mr Abdullah 1.36m.
Another presidential candidate, Ramazan Bashardost, was a distant third, with 457,909 ballots. Another presidential candidate, Ramazan Bashardost, was a distant third, with fewer than half a million ballots.
Election officials said results from some polling stations where 100% of votes went to Mr Karzai would be allowed to stand unless fraud was proved to have taken place.
The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says it looks likely that Mr Karzai will eventually pass the 50% threshold, given that much of the remaining votes to be announced are in his Pashtun heartlands in the south.The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says it looks likely that Mr Karzai will eventually pass the 50% threshold, given that much of the remaining votes to be announced are in his Pashtun heartlands in the south.
Our correspondent adds that it looks like it will be weeks, or even months, before a final result is declared in this poll.