Afghanistan's presidential election will go to a second-round vote on June 14 between former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani, final results showed today.
"After a thorough review, it is clear that no candidate has been able to win more than 50% and the election goes to a second round," Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, head of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said.
Abdullah secured 45% of the vote on April 5, with his main rival Ghani on 31.6%, according to the final results, which came after weeks of deliberation over fraud allegations.
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The results were closely in line with the figures released late last month when counting was completed.
The run-off was originally scheduled for May 28.
"Some sensitive materials that were stocked at IEC headquarters for the second round were destroyed by the Taliban attack on March 29 -- providing those materials again needs time," Nuristani said, explaining the delay.
