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Afghan election goes to run-off Afghan election goes to run-off
(10 minutes later)
Afghanistan will hold a second round of its presidential election on 7 November, electoral officials say. Afghanistan will hold a second round of its presidential election on 7 November, poll officials say.
The run-off will take place between President Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah.The run-off will take place between President Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah.
The announcement comes a day after a UN-backed panel said it had clear evidence of fraud in the first round of polling in August. The news comes a day after a UN-backed panel said it had clear evidence of fraud in August's first round, lowering Mr Karzai's vote share below 50%.
Initial results suggested Mr Karzai had received 55% of the vote, and ex-Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah 28%.Initial results suggested Mr Karzai had received 55% of the vote, and ex-Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah 28%.
But the panel, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) ordered that ballots from 210 polling stations be discounted. But the panel, the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), ordered that ballots from 210 polling stations be discounted.
One poll monitoring group said this meant that Mr Karzai's total was reduced to below the 50% plus one vote required for outright victory, indicating that a second round was needed. One poll monitoring group said this meant that Mr Karzai's total was reduced to below the 50% plus one vote required for outright victory, indicating a second round was needed.
Mr Karzai said at a news conference announcing the run-off that he accepted the ECC findings.Mr Karzai said at a news conference announcing the run-off that he accepted the ECC findings.
He said that the decision was legal and constitutional, and a "step forward" for Afghan democracy.He said that the decision was legal and constitutional, and a "step forward" for Afghan democracy.
He hoped to see a better turnout in the second round than in the first, Mr Karzai added. "This is not the right time to discuss investigations, this is the time to move forward to stability and national unity," Mr Karzai added.
"I call upon our nation to change this into an opportunity to strengthen our resolve and determination, to move our country forward and to participate in the new round of elections."