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Key Afghan Presidential Candidate Claims Fraud

Associated Press

   KABUL - Just days away from Afghanistan's presidential election,
   leading challenger and current Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah
   alleged that the vote is threatened by widespread abuses of power by
   his rival, incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, during an interview with
   The Associated Press on Thursday.

   Abdullah, who ran against Ghani five years ago in what were widely
   dismissed as deeply flawed polls, said he fears a skewed outcome again
   could threaten the country's tottering democracy.

   "We have registered quite a few complaints, but this is just the tip of
   the iceberg," Abdullah said, referring to his Ghani's infractions.

   "My main concern will be that massively fraudulent elections ... will
   have an impact on the mentality of the people, on the views of the
   people, the democratic process, whether it is functioning or not," he
   said. "If it is not functioning, what's the other way to go ahead with
   your goals?"

   A contested election marked violence could destabilize the country.
   Many in Afghanistan fear heavily armed supporters of the losing
   candidates will turn their weapons on each other if Saturday's voting,
   which is notoriously flawed in Afghanistan, again seem mired in fraud.

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