Ghani rival rejects prelim results as illegitimate

(22 Dec 2019) Afghan presidential election second frontrunner Abdullah Abdullah said Sunday that the election result was not legimitate and fraudulent. Speaking at a news conference, Abdullah, who serves as the country’s chief executive, called on the election commission to "assess complaints according to the law and remove fake votes." He accused the commission of collaborating with fraudsters. Afghanistan's election commission said the country's president Ashraf Ghani has won a second term, earning 50.64% of a preliminary vote count announced Sunday. The Sept. 28 presidential poll results have been repeatedly delayed amid accusations of misconduct and technical problems with counting ballots. If the preliminary results hold and Ghani remains president, it could give him the authority he's been seeking to demand a leading role in peace talks with the Taliban. Ghani and his government have been sidelined during the past year of direct talks between the U.S. and the Taliban. Washington seeks to withdraw its combat troops and end 18 years of fighting in Afghanistan, America's longest war. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...