Afghan President Hamid Karzai holds up his inked stained finger after voting in the presidential election in Kabul August 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
KABUL, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Spokesman of Afghanistan
Independent Election Commission (IEC) Noor Mohammad Noor on Friday rejected
reports that Hamid Karzai won the presidential election in the first round.
"It is totally illogic because we have not received
the counting result," Noor told Xinhua.
"Initial counting results would be announced on IEC
website possibly tomorrow," he added.
Earlier on Friday, Din Muhammad, Campaign Manager of
Karzai had claimed victory while talking to media.
However, Mr. Siddiqui, a spokesman of the Campaign
Team of Karzai while talking to Xinhua said, "Din Muhammad's claim is based on
his personal observation of results from some polling stations. We are waiting
for initial results from different provinces. We are hopeful to be the winner."
Counting of the ballots had started right after the
polls which ended on Thursday. It continued all the night.
The IEC spokesman, while talking to Xinhua, said the
preliminary results from all provinces will come within three days.
"We have not received results from provinces so far.
It is possible we receive it from different provinces by the end of tomorrow,"
he said.
Talking about the victory claim by an official of
Karzai's campaign team, he said, "It's all inaccurate and illogical."
Counting is underway and in some districts of different provinces it
has been completed and the count shows Karzai in lead.
Afghans line to cast their ballots at a polling station in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on Aug. 20, 2009. The people of Afghanistan begun voting Thursday morning amid tight security to elect the country' s president and 420 members of the provincial councils. (Xinhua/Zabi Tamanna) Photo Gallery>>>
If any candidate do not receive 50 percent plus vote,
then the polls will go for a second round between the top two candidates.
Din Muhammad Din had claimed there won't be a second
round and Karzai will win in the first voting.
Meantime, Mr. Sangcharaki, Spokesman of the Campaign
Team of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, top challenger of Karzai said the claims by
Karzai Team are baseless.
"All these claims are totally baseless. The results
our observers are receiving from different polling centers show Dr. Abdullah
gained 60 percent votes as Karzai's between 30 percent to 31 percent. We are
waiting for initial results from all provinces. We will win."
Both the top presidential candidates are claiming
victory. However, the Election Commission says such claims are baseless until
the preliminary results are announced from all provinces.
"Any result not announced by the IEC is unofficial,
inaccurate and null and void," IEC said in an official statement.
