Karzai Declared Afghan
President, No More Run-Off
Afghanistan's
Independent Election Commission has said there would be no longer be a
presidential run-off after President Hamid Karzai's only rival, Abdullah
Abdullah, withdrew from the race.
"There is no second round," the commission’s chief electoral officer, Daoud Ali
Najafi was quoted as saying in an interview.
The run-off, called after the first round in August was marred by widespread
fraud, was to have been held on November 7.
The commission's chief, Azizullah Ludin told newsmen in Kabul, that, ’’the
Independent Election Commission declares the esteemed Hamid Karzai as the
president ... because he was the winner of the first round and the only
candidate in the second round.’’
He said the decision was made to spare the Afghan people the expense and risk of
another election and because a one-candidate race would raise questions about
the legitimacy of the presidency
Legitimacy question
Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the race over the
weekend, citing doubts about the credibility of the election process.
Karzai's camp had, on Sunday ruled out a coalition with Abdullah, but he has
been under intense pressure from various quarters to bring Abdullah into the
government.
Game plan
Abdullah had left the door open for future discussions but said no deals had
been struck in return for his withdrawal, seen by many as one way to spare the
country more uncertainty that discredits the government and can only aid the
insurgency.
The run-off was ordered after a UN-led investigation panel found widespread
fraud in the August 20 election.
REUTERS/Yinka
