Afghanistan: Runoff Cancelled, Karzai Declared President

The decision by the other candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, determined the outcome. He withdrew alleging fear of corruption in the process.

KABUL (AsiaNews) - Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) scrapped the second round of vote planned for 7 November and declared Hamid Karzai president-elect, after the other candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out. Mr Abdullah had demanded key poll officials be replaced, saying they had played a major role in fraud during the first round of vote on 20 August.

Since Hamid Karzai "won the majority of votes in the first round and is the only candidate for the second round," he "is declared by the Independent Election Commission as the elected president of Afghanistan."

Cancellation of the runoff was expected. Karzai, Western powers, and election officials were opposed to it fearing the Taliban would carry out more attacks. Afghanistan's long winter is also fast approaching.

The possibility of a government of national unity between Karzai and Abdullah was floated but it is waiting for a legal basis.

Whatever may happen, Karzai's power has been weakened and it is not clear whether US President Barack Obama will send 40,000 more troops to the country, as requested by military commanders on the ground. Obama had postponed the decision until after the elections.

Local sources told AsiaNews the electoral stalemate has further undermined the reputation of the central government, international organisations and foreign troops among the people.

Local experts believe the whole country should be qualitatively rebuilt, social fabric, ruling elites, schools, roads and hospitals included.

How many boots are on the ground is secondary.