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Afghan Election Now Headed for Runoff

'Stunning' second ballot complicates Obama strategy

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 7:16 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Hamid Karzai's share of the vote in Afghanistan's presidential election has reportedly fallen to about 47% after an investigation into fraudulent ballots—meaning that he will face Abdullah Abdullah in a runoff if the result is finalized today. One Afghan official called the development "stunning," and a Karzai ally conceded that a runoff was likely. New ballots have already been printed, and the US and NATO want the vote to take place in early November to avoid the harsh Afghan winter.

It's unclear how a second presidential ballot will affect the calculus of the Obama administration as it wrestles with its war strategy in the region. A clear victory for Karzai, after the rampant fraud allegations of the first round, may assuage worries of illegitimacy. But more fraud, or a delay until next spring, could end up sowing more instability. The US, one scholar tells the Washington Post, "would have to go ahead with a strategy decision without knowing the winner."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai gestures shakes during a press conference at Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai gestures shakes during a press conference at Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a news conference.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a news conference.   (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, file)
Abddullah Abdullah at a gathering in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009.
Abddullah Abdullah at a gathering in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up in Afghanistan's unsettled presidential election.
Abdullah Abdullah, the runner-up in Afghanistan's unsettled presidential election.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
foodchain11
Oct 16, 2009 1:01 AM CDT
I say we all listen to the Great McCain and send in troops to get killed over a country that has no leader. Another great GOP moment. They want to push us to troop increase because.........?

 
Afghanistan • Hamid Karzai • runoff election • presidential election • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • Abdullah Abdullah • Afghanistan election

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