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Karzai 'stripped of outright win' Karzai 'stripped of outright win'
(20 minutes later)
A panel probing fraud claims in the Afghan election has found Hamid Karzai did not gain enough valid votes for an outright win, the BBC understands.A panel probing fraud claims in the Afghan election has found Hamid Karzai did not gain enough valid votes for an outright win, the BBC understands.
Preliminary results from August's first round had placed Mr Karzai comfortably over the 50% plus one vote threshold needed to avoid a run-off.Preliminary results from August's first round had placed Mr Karzai comfortably over the 50% plus one vote threshold needed to avoid a run-off.
But officials have told the BBC the Electoral Complaints Commission (EEC) says Mr Karzai did not win above 50%. But officials told the BBC Mr Karzai's vote share had fallen below half after a number of votes were ruled invalid.
Mr Karzai could now face a second round against main rival Abdullah Abdullah. Under poll rules, Mr Karzai now faces a runoff against rival Abdullah Abdullah.
However, it was not clear how Mr Karzai would respond to the UN-backed panel's findings, amid reports of a possible legal challenge.
Washington warning
Initial results had given Mr Karzai 55% of the votes, with former foreign minister Mr Abdullah on 28%.
The Afghan president says he won the vote outright, but EU observers have said as many as one in four votes cast were suspicious.The Afghan president says he won the vote outright, but EU observers have said as many as one in four votes cast were suspicious.
Washington has said it will not send any more US troops to Afghanistan until a political resolution is reached. Officials say Mr Karzai is furious over the prospect of facing a second round, threatening to block it.
The UN-backed ECC launched an investigation after the vote as allegations of mass fraud began to emerge. But Washington has warned it will not send any more US troops to Afghanistan until a political resolution is reached.
The UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) launched an investigation after the vote as allegations of mass fraud began to emerge.
The ECC reports to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which will make the final announcement on the election's outcome.The ECC reports to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which will make the final announcement on the election's outcome.
The IEC is widely regarded as pro-Karzai, but analysts say it is legally bound to accept the ECC's findings.The IEC is widely regarded as pro-Karzai, but analysts say it is legally bound to accept the ECC's findings.