By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan presidential challenger Abdullah Abdullah Sunday announced he would not participate in a planned runoff election, saying that political conditions could not guarantee a fair process.
The former foreign minister’s decision to withdraw leaves President Hamid Karzai as the only candidate, and casts doubt over the legitimacy of his administration, particularly as regards his key ally the US.
“I re-emphasize that to object the inappropriate actions taken by the government and the inappropriate actions of election commission, I will not take part in the Nov 7 election,” Abdullah announced in a gathering of hundreds of his supporters Sunday morning.
“Today I made a tough decision,” he said, adding, “I consider my decision as final and conclusive.”
The former top diplomat made the announcement after Karzai rejected his demands to dismiss the head of the electoral commission, and suspend three cabinet ministers whom he accused of participating in fraud from their official positions.
“I have not called for a boycott,” Abdullah told a press conference at his Kabul home, adding that his supporters had the choice to take part in the fresh vote. “I would have taken part in the election even if some relative condition were in place, but transparent election is not possible.”
Karzai’s campaign team spokesman Waheed Omar said Abdullah’s withdrawal was “very unfortunate”, but the election had to go ahead.
“This is a personal decision that should not alter the process. The process should go on,” Omar told the BBC. “The process has to complete itself, the people of Afghanistan have to be given the right to vote.”
Asked if he would call on his supporters to take to streets to show their objection with election process, Abdullah said “no demonstration”, adding, “I am sure there will be no action taken by my supporters that will lead the country into further crisis.”
Karzai had been declared outright winner in the Aug 20 election, but an investigation demanded by Western nations found massive vote fraud in the president’s favour.
After about one million ballots were discounted, Karzai’s vote count fell to less than 50 percent plus one of the total needed to avoid a runoff with his nearest rival.
Afghanistan’s tainted democratic mandate is now being regarded a setback to Western goals to defeat a growing military insurgency in the country. Support for Karzai’s government and the war is waning in the US, which is the chief provider of funds, troops and military hardware.