Kabul, August 21: The head of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s election campaign claimed Friday that the incumbent had “enough votes” to win Thursday’s election, and that there would be no need for a run-off. “Based on information we received from our campaign offices and voting sites, I can say for sure that we are in the lead,” Haji Din Mohammad, chief of Karzai’s campaign office, said.
“Our figures show that we have enough votes to win, so no need for a second round of voting,” he said.
Counting for the country’s second direct vote for president in recent history began on Thursday after the polling sites were closed and according to an official from the Independent Election Commission it continued until midnight.
Officials from the campaign office of Abdullah Abdullah, Karzai’s main challenger, were not available to comment.
Karzai was opposed by about 30 candidates, including two women, in the election.
–Agencies