Dr Abdullah Abdullah is confident about his victory.
Kabul:
A day after preliminary results almost sealed the possibility of a run-off between the top two contenders in the Afghanistan presidential polls, both held press conferences in Kabul to boost their cases. (Afghan presidential election set for run-off between Abdullah and Ghani)
The frontrunner, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, was confident about his victory.
He claimed that after the 'fraudulent votes' were discarded, he would get the necessary votes - more than 50 per cent of the total polled - to be declared an outright winner.
His likely rival in the run-off - Dr Ashraf Ghani - claimed that he was certain of a comeback.
But neither has entered into an electoral slanging match that could have divided the country on political, ethnic and tribal lines.
Dr Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister, emerged on top with 44.9 per cent of the votes in the preliminary results announced on Saturday.
Dr Ghani, a former finance minister, lagged nearly 13 per cent behind with 31.5 per cent of the votes. The results are yet to be formally endorsed by the Independent Election Commission, which is likely to happen by May 14.
If they are ratified, both will almost certainly participate in a run-off scheduled for June 7.
In their press conferences in Kabul, both denied that there was any move to work with each other, as of now, to form a coalition government. (Afghans brace for another round of voting, bargaining begins)
Dr Ghani, the runner-up in the preliminary first round announced on Saturday, said, "A run-off is imminent and we go in with great determination".
But he added, "We believe in principles, there are no deals.'
The frontrunner, Dr Abdullah, had pulled out of a run-off with incumbent President Hamid Karzai in the 2009 presidential polls, alleging too much fraud.
Both top candidates have protested against fraud in these general elections. (Afghan election front-runners trade fraud allegations)
Dr Abdullah said he will take a decision on the run-off after the final results are announced on May 14.
The final result of the first round, with eight candidates, is expected to be announced on that day.
Mathematical miracles and back-room deals aside, a run-off is likely to be held between the two candidates on June 7.
If that happens, the next Afghanistan President may not be elected till July.
Both top candidates acknowledged that the turnout of voters in Afghanistan has doubled since the 2009 presidential polls.
Nearly 6.9 million people voted in this year's election; 64 per cent of them were male and a very encouraging 36 per cent of them were women, according to the IEC.
The nation will have to wait for a month for the final preliminary results and then - if no clear winner emerges - the run-off.
The name of the next Afghanistan President is likely to be announced a month later.
The frontrunner, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, was confident about his victory.
He claimed that after the 'fraudulent votes' were discarded, he would get the necessary votes - more than 50 per cent of the total polled - to be declared an outright winner.
His likely rival in the run-off - Dr Ashraf Ghani - claimed that he was certain of a comeback.
But neither has entered into an electoral slanging match that could have divided the country on political, ethnic and tribal lines.
Dr Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister, emerged on top with 44.9 per cent of the votes in the preliminary results announced on Saturday.
Dr Ghani, a former finance minister, lagged nearly 13 per cent behind with 31.5 per cent of the votes. The results are yet to be formally endorsed by the Independent Election Commission, which is likely to happen by May 14.
If they are ratified, both will almost certainly participate in a run-off scheduled for June 7.
In their press conferences in Kabul, both denied that there was any move to work with each other, as of now, to form a coalition government. (Afghans brace for another round of voting, bargaining begins)
Dr Ghani, the runner-up in the preliminary first round announced on Saturday, said, "A run-off is imminent and we go in with great determination".
But he added, "We believe in principles, there are no deals.'
The frontrunner, Dr Abdullah, had pulled out of a run-off with incumbent President Hamid Karzai in the 2009 presidential polls, alleging too much fraud.
Both top candidates have protested against fraud in these general elections. (Afghan election front-runners trade fraud allegations)
Dr Abdullah said he will take a decision on the run-off after the final results are announced on May 14.
The final result of the first round, with eight candidates, is expected to be announced on that day.
Mathematical miracles and back-room deals aside, a run-off is likely to be held between the two candidates on June 7.
If that happens, the next Afghanistan President may not be elected till July.
Both top candidates acknowledged that the turnout of voters in Afghanistan has doubled since the 2009 presidential polls.
Nearly 6.9 million people voted in this year's election; 64 per cent of them were male and a very encouraging 36 per cent of them were women, according to the IEC.
The nation will have to wait for a month for the final preliminary results and then - if no clear winner emerges - the run-off.
The name of the next Afghanistan President is likely to be announced a month later.
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