Daily Times

Afghanistan could witness political turmoil as election frontrunners Dr Abdullah Abdullah and Amrullah Saleh have claimed securing more votes, weeks ahead of the official announcement of the results of Sept 28 presidential elections.

Abdullah told a news conference in Kabul that he will form the government as there will be no second round.

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission says no one has the right to declare himself victorious until the official results are announced. Officials said results are expected to be announced on October 19, advising the candidates not to declare themselves victorious as it will create confusion.

Abdullah and Saleh claimed victory when the election officials are in the process of collecting ballot boxes, counting votes and verifying biometric votes. Claims by both that they have bagged the required votes and the elections will not go for second round are ridiculous as the counting is still underway. Every candidate must get over 50 percent votes to become president. Many in Afghanistan believe second round is most likely in view of the tough competition between Abdullah and Ghani.

The current political crisis started when Ghani’s running mate Amrullah Saleh claimed in reported comments that Ghani’s team has received up to 70 percent votes. Saleh told VOA’s Ashna TV on Sunday that Ghani’s led team has secured 60 to 70 percent votes. He, however, said on Monday that the election bodies have the right to declare results.

Abdullah’s claim of getting more votes was apparently a response to Saleh’s claim, which led to political uncertainty at a time when Afghanistan faces serious security challenges.

Afghanistan now faces the situation like the post-2014 presidential elections when Abdullah had refused to accept the results in favour of Ghani. Then US Secretary of State John Kerry intervened and brokered a 50-50 power sharing deal between Ghani and Abdullah.