Washington, October 25: Ahead of a presidential run-off, Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s main rival Abdullah Abdullah today ruled out boycotting the election process but expressed apprehension that his opponent might again rig the polls.
Abdullah also rejected the possibility of entering into an agreement with the incumbent Karzai to avoid the November 7 run-off to the Presidential election.
“I am not talking about boycott at this stage, though my supporters are pressing on that point, that if the state machinery a fraud, as well as election commission, which was unfortunately involved in fraud — both are in place, and then both are working in collaboration with one another, perhaps we might have to go through the same sort of saga,” he said.
The former foreign minister and Karzai’s main challenger said he had no intention of entering into an agreement with his rival to avoid a run-off, and added he was working to ensure the process was transparent and credible.
“I think I should rule it (Coalition government) out, because I am ready to go for a run-off.
“And what I am focusing at this stage is to provide the relevant institutions which sets off recommendations and sometimes conditions to ensure the transparency of the Afghani elections,” Abdullah told Fox News.
He said he is working with the international community on sets of conditions which have to be met. .
—Agencies