Runoff Vote Possible In Disputed Afghan Presidential Election

An Afghan Election Commission worker shows a partly blank information sheet of a ballot box during the recounting possess in Kabul, Afghanistan, 05 Oct 2009International pressure was mounting Saturday, as Afghans waited for therelease of a report by a United Nations-backed panel, which could leadto a runoff vote following the country's disputed presidential election.

Severalhigh-level foreign officials, including French Foreign Minister BernardKouchner and U.S. Senator John Kerry, were in Kabul Saturday ahead of along-delayed announcement by the Electoral Complaints Commission.

The ECC is investigating allegations of widespread fraud in the August 20 vote.

Preliminaryelection results gave Afghan President Hamid Karzai 54-percent of thevote. His main challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah,has 28 percent. But the ECC's findings could push Mr. Karzai's leadbelow 50-percent, forcing a runoff.

Saturday's announcement ofthe ECC's report was delayed, as officials were said to be meeting withmembers of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission. Afghanelection officials will announce the final result after double-checkingthe tally.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.N.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brownspoke by phone to President Karzai Friday, as concerns grew over whowill lead the country, and when.

U.S. officials say SenatorKerry's goal was to highlight the need for a "legitimate outcome" tothe election. French officials say Foreign Minister Kouchner alsosought to defuse any tension brought on by the disputed poll, duringhis visit.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, ZalmayKhalilzad, was also in Kabul, and met with both Mr. Karzai and Abdullahthis week. He told reporters late Friday that he urged both candidatesto recognize the importance of the moment and rise to the occasion.

International officials have been urging both President Karzai and Abdullah to consider a power-sharing agreement.

Officials say, if needed, a runoff should be held within two weeks of the definitive announcement of first-round results.


Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.