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Afghanistan elections: Ashraf Ghani declared winner in run-off vote Afghanistan elections: Abdullah Abdullah claims victory in presidential run-off vote despite Ashraf Ghani being declared winner
(about 7 hours later)
Thousands of supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah rallied in central Kabul on Tuesday in a gesture of defiance after his rival, Ashraf Ghani, was declared the winner of last month's run-off vote. The Afghan presidential candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, told thousands of supporters he planned to declare victory as he claimed that widespread fraud had put his rival ahead in preliminary results from the country’s elections.
Preliminary results showed that Ghani, a former World Bank official, won the 14 June second round, but Abdullah rejected the outcome, saying the vote was marred by widespread fraud. Washington has warned both camps against trying to seize power, saying international financial and security support is at stake. The turmoil came as violence escalated around the country. A suicide bomber struck Afghan and foreign forces near a clinic in the eastern province of Parwan, killing at least 16 people, including four Czech soldiers.
Observers fear that a standoff between Abdullah and Ghani could plunge Afghanistan into disorder, with no clear leader in a country already beset by deep-rooted ethnic divisions. Mr Abdullah said he had received calls from the US President, Barack Obama, and Secretary of State John Kerry, and was told Mr Kerry would fly to the Afghan capital on Friday to help defuse the crisis.
Abdullah has accused President Hamid Karzai, who is stepping down after 12 years in power, of helping rig the vote in favour of Ghani, describing it as a “coup” against the people. Ashraf Ghani used to work for the World Bank (Getty Images)  
In a noisy protest, crowds of Abdullah supporters gathered in a giant tent in the centre of the capital Kabul, chanting “Death to Karzai”, tearing down a large portrait of the outgoing leader and replacing it with an image of Abdullah. Mr Abdullah said the results of the election were fraudulent but asked them to give him a few more days to negotiate. He added: “We denounce and do not accept the results of the fraudulent vote. I assure you people of Afghanistan that I will sacrifice for you, but I will never accept a fraudulent government. We announce that only the government elected through clean votes will come to power.”
Abdullah Abdullah accused Karzai of helping Ghani win the election (GETTY IMAGES) In a tense atmosphere, Abdullah, a former anti-Taliban resistance righter, was due to address the crowd later in the day. Abdullah supporters rally in Kabul (GETTY IMAGES)
Abdullah draws his support mostly from the Tajik minority in northern Afghanistan where many senior posts are filled with his allies, whereas Ghani is backed mainly by Pashtun tribes in the south and east of the country. The Afghan Independent Election Commission released preliminary results on Monday, showing the ex-Finance Minister, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, well in the lead. It said no winner could be declared because millions of ballots were being audited for fraud. Preliminary results from the run-off ballot on 14 June showed Mr Ahmadzai had about 4.5 million votes, or 56 per cent, while Mr Abdullah had 3.5 million votes (44 per cent). Turnout was more than 50 per cent. That was a sharp turnaround from the first round on 5 April, when Mr Abdullah polled 46 per cent to Mr Ahmadzai’s 31.6 per cent but failed to get the majority needed to avoid a run-off.
Some Abdullah supporters have suggested his camp should declare victory and form a parallel government, a dangerous move that would further fracture the fragile country. The US Secretary of State John Kerry has registered 'grave concern' about developments in the country
Abdullah supporters rally in Kabul (GETTY IMAGES) Away from the city's centre, dozens of Abdullah supporters tore down another Karzai portrait at Kabul's international airport. Mr Abdullah has refused to accept any results from the second round until all ballots are validated. The election commission acknowledged that vote-rigging had occurred and said ballots from nearly 23,000 polling stations would be audited.
In a sharp statement, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Afghanistan that any attempt to take power illegally following the disputed election would cost it US support. Mr Abdullah accused the outgoing President, Hamid Karzai, Mr Ahmadzai and the election commission of colluding against him. “They ignored us and announced the fraudulent results,” he said.
“I have noted reports of protests in Afghanistan and of suggestions of a 'parallel government' with the gravest concern,” he said in a statement issued by the US embassy in Kabul. There were fears Mr Abdullah could ignore the result and declare victory. “People across the country call on us to announce our government and I can’t not say no to people’s wish,” he said. “We do not want crisis, we want national unity.”
“Any action to take power by extra-legal means will cost Afghanistan the financial and security support of the United States and the international community.” AP
The US Secretary of State John Kerry has registered 'grave concern' about developments in the country The Afghan government is heavily reliant on foreign donors to fund everything from building roads and paying school teachers to security. The United States pays the lion's share of all international aid.
The deadlock over the vote has quashed hopes for a smooth transition of power in Afghanistan, a concern for the West as most US-led forces withdraw from the country this year.
The Independent Election Commission announced on Monday that Ghani won the second round with 56.44 per cent of the vote, according to preliminary results. The tally might change when the final official numbers come out on 22 July.
Reuters