On 20 August Afghans voted for a new president and provincial councilors under tight security in elections considered crucial to defeating an increasingly violent Taliban insurgency.
Officials say scattered violence killed dozens of people across the country in attacks that took place in Kabul, Kandahar and other major cities. The vote was called a success, although voter turnout was uneven.
Initial results show incumbent President Hamid Karzai leading the race. But, campaigns of both Mr. Karzai and his closest challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, have exchanged accusations of ballot box stuffing. Other presidential candidates have also produced evidence of what they say shows wholesale fraud by officials and campaign workers.
Follow the results at the Independent Election Commission of Aghanistan's web site.
UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission orders to exclude ballots from 51 polling sites in Kandahar, 27 in Ghazni and five in Paktika
In exclusive VOA interview, Leon Panetta says even if suspect ballots are discounted, President Hamid Karzai will in all likelihood win
Hamid Karzai says fraud must be investigated 'fairly and without prejudice'
Commission says President Hamid Karzai won 54 percent of preliminary vote, but victory not secure until fraud allegations investigated
Recount amid fraud allegations leaves open possibility of second round for disputed election
However, Mr. Karzai's closest challenger not ready to concede
Disputed votes helped push President Hamid Karzai's total to more than majority he will need to avoid runoff election
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Electoral Complaints Commission has ordered a recount of what it called questionable ballots
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown tells reporters high level conference would deal with issues such as security, governance and devel
