Afghan election set for run-off

Two clear frontrunners have emerged in Afghanistan’s presidential election as partial results showed a tight race that appears destined for a run-off vote.

Both candidates promise a fresh start with the West, vowing to sign a security pact with the US that has been rejected by President Hamid Karzai, but their fierce rivalry has raised the possibility of divisive campaigning in what has been a relatively peaceful vote.

With 10% of the ballots counted, Abdullah Abdullah, who was Karzai’s main rival in his fraud-marred re-election in 2009, had 41.9% of the vote.

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, a former finance minister and World Bank official, followed with 37.6%. Zalmai Rassoul, another former foreign minister widely considered as Karzai’s pick, was a distant third with 9.8%.

Karzai is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

Officials cautioned the vote count could change as full preliminary results won’t be due until April 24, but the early numbers suggest none of the eight candidates will get the outright majority needed to avoid a run-off.

Shortly after officials announced the results, Abdullah said he has held talks with Rassoul, but it is premature to discuss a possible alliance. The 53-year-old said he will seek a unity government if elected.