Afghan challenger drops out of election

PRESIDENT Hamid Karzai’s challenger withdrew yesterday from next weekend’s run-off election, effectively handing the incumbent a victory, but raising doubts about the credibility of the government at a time when the US is anxious for an effective partner in the war against the Taliban.

Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said he made his decision after Karzai turned down his demands for changes in the Independent Election Commission and other measures that he said would prevent massive fraud, which marred the first round balloting August 20.

Abdullah stopped short of calling for an electoral boycott and urged his followers “not to go to the streets, not to demonstrate”.