Karzai rival urges action to prevent poll fraud

THE main challenger to President Hamid Karzai yesterday urged action to prevent a repeat of massive fraud that compromised Afghanistan’s elections as officials warned the run-off faced major challenges.

Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah said a second round was the “only scenario” being considered for now, amid speculation that a last-minute unity deal could yet be struck after two months of political crisis.

Organisers faced a race against time to stage the second round on November 7 against the backdrop of a growing Taliban insurgency, as US president Barack Obama considers whether to deploy thousands more troops.