Afghanistan’s election commission has delayed a planned release of full results from the April 5 presidential election to allow for recounts and audits.
Today’s announcement increases confusion surrounding the balloting to replace President Hamid Karzai, who is ineligible for a third term.
The results were expected tomorrow but Independent Election Commission director Ziaulhaq Amarkhil said they would be postponed until at least Saturday to ensure they are not tainted by fraud.
The preliminary results then must be investigated by a separate commission before being finalised by May 14.
So far, partial results of about half the seven million votes cast show former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah in the lead and ex-finance minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in second place.
It is unclear if either would secure a majority to avoid a run-off.