Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah claims victory

Kabul, Sep 8:

Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah Monday claimed victory in the presidential elections and said the political process for the formation of a national unity government is faced with a deadlock.

“The fraud committed in the election process has caused a deadlock. I would continue to defend the right of the people and the votes they cast and would never accept the fraud-marred election results,” Abdullah said in a public meeting attended by hundreds of his supporters.

He also insisted that he was the winner of the presidential runoff elections held June 14 if the genuine votes had been separated from the fake ones, Xinhua reported.

“Based on the genuine votes cast in the election process, I am the winner,” Abdullah said, adding that a transparent and fair election is the foundation for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Abdullah said he was against violence but would defend his right and the right of those who voted in his favour through a civilised way.

Presidential hopeful Abdullah also added that talks with his opponent Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai for the formation of a national unity government have also been deadlocked.

(IANS)