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 4 Version 5
Karzai closer to Afghan poll win Karzai closer to Afghan poll win
(19 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%.
Officials said results from 447 of about 28,000 polling stations had been annulled, after fraud investigations.Officials said results from 447 of about 28,000 polling stations had been annulled, after fraud investigations.
The winner needs to secure an outright majority of 50% to avoid a run-off. The 20 August poll has been marred by allegations of widespread fraud.The winner needs to secure an outright majority of 50% to avoid a run-off. The 20 August poll has been marred by allegations of widespread fraud.
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 from his southern powerbase.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 from his southern powerbase.
'State-engineered fraud'
Out of 4.3m valid votes, Mr Karzai had so far won 2.08m and Mr Abdullah 1.36m, said Independent Election Commission official Daud Ali Najafi at Sunday's news conference in Kabul.Out of 4.3m valid votes, Mr Karzai had so far won 2.08m and Mr Abdullah 1.36m, said Independent Election Commission official Daud Ali Najafi at Sunday's news conference in Kabul.
AFGHAN ELECTION Vote held on 20 August for presidency and provincial councilsMore than 400 insurgent attacks on polling day, Nato saysMore than 2,000 fraud allegations, 600 deemed seriousFinal result expected end of SeptemberCandidate needs more than 50% to avoid runoff Q&A: Afghan election
Another presidential candidate, Ramazan Bashardost, was a distant third, with fewer than half a million ballots.Another presidential candidate, Ramazan Bashardost, was a distant third, with fewer than half a million ballots.
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, election officials added.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, election officials added.
'State-engineered fraud'
The partial results are provisional, pending investigations into allegations of fraud.The partial results are provisional, pending investigations into allegations of fraud.
AFGHAN ELECTION Vote held on 20 August for presidency and provincial councilsTurnout not made official yet but estimated at 40-50%More than 400 insurgent attacks on polling day, Nato saysMore than 2,000 fraud allegations, 600 deemed seriousFinal result expected end of SeptemberCandidate needs more than 50% to avoid runoff Q&A: Afghan election
Final results are due on 17 September, but analysts say they are not now expected until the end of the month.Final results are due on 17 September, but analysts say they are not now expected until the end of the month.
Allegations of fraud have been made against all the prime candidates and the election commission has been investigating more than 2,000 complaints of irregularities, more than 600 of them deemed serious.Allegations of fraud have been made against all the prime candidates and the election commission has been investigating more than 2,000 complaints of irregularities, more than 600 of them deemed serious.
Mr Abdullah, a former foreign minister, warned in a news conference on Saturday that "state-engineered fraud" could fuel instability and urged the international community to intervene.Mr Abdullah, a former foreign minister, warned in a news conference on Saturday that "state-engineered fraud" could fuel instability and urged the international community to intervene.
There have been been fears that doubts over the poll's legitimacy could lead to unrest. Mr Abdullah's powerbase is in the north, among ethnic Tajiks, while Mr Karzai's heartland is in the Pashtun-dominated south.There have been been fears that doubts over the poll's legitimacy could lead to unrest. Mr Abdullah's powerbase is in the north, among ethnic Tajiks, while Mr Karzai's heartland is in the Pashtun-dominated south.
Members of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan have stressed in recent days their long-term commitment to keeping troops in the country to fight a resurgent Taliban, despite concerns about fraud and low turnout in the elections.Members of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan have stressed in recent days their long-term commitment to keeping troops in the country to fight a resurgent Taliban, despite concerns about fraud and low turnout in the elections.
But a Nato air strike on two hijacked fuel tankers in northern Kunduz province on Friday, which killed scores of people, including reportedly some civilians, has revived controversy over Western military operations in Afghanistan.But a Nato air strike on two hijacked fuel tankers in northern Kunduz province on Friday, which killed scores of people, including reportedly some civilians, has revived controversy over Western military operations in Afghanistan.
On Saturday, the commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, promised a full investigation into the air raid.On Saturday, the commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, promised a full investigation into the air raid.