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Karzai 'stripped of outright win' Karzai 'stripped of outright win'
(10 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 told the BBC Mr Karzai's vote share had fallen below half after a number of votes were ruled invalid.But officials told the BBC Mr Karzai's vote share had fallen below half after a number of votes were ruled invalid.
Under poll rules, Mr Karzai now faces a runoff against 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. In its much-anticipated report on Monday, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) ordered that ballots from 210 polling stations be discounted.
Washington warning AFGHAN ELECTION BODIES Independent Election CommissionConstitutional body appointed by Afghan president to oversee and organise elections Responsible for voter registration, setting up polling stations, counting and tallying votes, and issuing final resultsUltimately accountable to Afghanistan's parliament and peopleElectoral Complaints CommissionIndependent panel under Afghan election law with two Afghan members and three UN-appointed international members to probe fraudInvestigates allegations of fraud and passes findings to IEC Although it reports to the IEC, Afghan election law states that the IEC must accept and ratify the ECC's findings
The panel said it found "clear and convincing evidence of fraud" at the polling stations, which were across the country. It was not clear how Mr Karzai would respond to the UN-backed panel's findings, amid reports of a possible legal challenge.
Initial results had given Mr Karzai 55% of the votes, with former foreign minister Mr Abdullah on 28%.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.
Officials say Mr Karzai is furious over the prospect of facing a second round, threatening to block it.Officials say Mr Karzai is furious over the prospect of facing a second round, threatening to block it.
But Washington has warned it will not send any more US troops to Afghanistan until a political resolution is reached.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 panel 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.
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