·Afghanistan's run-off election will be held on Nov. 7 as scheduled.

·Abdullah said Sunday that he decided to quit the election, which is set on Nov. 7.

·It is possible for the runoff to be held with only one candidate.

    KABUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's run-off election will be held on November 7 as scheduled despite the withdrawal of President Hamid Karzai's only challenger Abdullah Abdullah from the contest, the election commission said on Sunday.

    Afghan President's top challenger Abdullah Abdullah announced Sunday that he would not participate in the run-off presidential election set on Nov. 7.

Afghanistan presidential election candidate Abdullah Abdullah (front) speaks during a press conference at his residence in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Nov. 1, 2009.(Xinhua/Zabi Tamanna) Photo Gallery>>>

    "It is unnecessary to participate in an election full of fraud," Abdullah told his supporters in a gathering in Kabul. "I made this decision for larger interest of the country and for strengthening democracy in the country."

    "This is a very tough decision," Abdullah said. "I took in a lot of consultation with our people before I made the decision."

    According to the constitution, it is possible for the run-off to be held with only one candidate, but that is believed to undermine the government's legitimacy. 

U.S. urges Afghan gov't to ensure election's legitimacy

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday urged the Afghanistan government to ensure the legitimacy of the presidential election process, following a key presidential challenger quit the election.

    Accusing President Hamid Karzai of failing to meet his demands for a fair and transparent vote, presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah said Sunday that he decided to quit the election, which is set on Nov. 7. Full story

Afghanistan to have weak gov't if runoff goes with sole candidate: observers

    KABUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- As Abdullah Abdullah, the challenger to sitting President Hamid Karzai, announced Sunday to boycott the runoff. Observers cautioned of bleak impact if the procedure was held with lone contender.

    "Definitely Afghanistan would have a weak and inefficient government if the second round election is held with one candidate," Qasim Akhgar, a political analyst and human right activist, told Xinhua. Full story

Karzai top challenger boycotts run-off election

Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah speaks during a gathering with his supporters in Kabul November 1, 2009. Abdullah quit an election run-off on Sunday after accusing the government of not meeting his demands for a fair vote, but said he was not calling for a boycott.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    KABUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President's top challenger Abdullah Abdullah announced Sunday that he would not participate in the run-off presidential election set on Nov. 7. Full story