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Karzai Challenger Plans to Call for Boycott

But spokesman leaves room for late maneuvering

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 31, 2009 1:51 PM CDT

(AP) – Afghan presidential challenger Abdullah Abdullah plans to boycott next week's runoff against Hamid Karzai and instead call for postponement of the vote until the spring, his campaign manager said today. "As of now," Abdullah plans to call for a boycott during a press conference tomorrow, he said. Abdullah also plans to call for an interim government to run the country until a new, fair vote can be held.

Abdullah, who was once Karzai's foreign minister, put forward several conditions this week to avoid a repeat of the massive fraud of the August election, including the replacement of the top election official and the suspension of several ministers. He gave today as his deadline. Analysts tell the Washington Post this could be a ploy to pressure Karzai into a power-sharing agreement.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Abdullah Abdullah plans a news conference tomorrow.
Abdullah Abdullah plans a news conference tomorrow.   (Farzana Wahidy)
An Afghan girl holds an election poster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
An Afghan girl holds an election poster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.   (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
NxBigmouthery
Oct 31, 2009 10:07 AM CDT
If y'can't do it right, don't do it.
Newser001
Oct 31, 2009 8:38 AM CDT
Abdullah plans to boycott next week's runoff against Karzai and his government, and rightly so if Karzai can't ensure fair accountable elections; The last round being so blatantly corrupt, it was beyond farcical.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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