Afghan poll picture gets more confused

Afghan officials yesterday they had delayed releasing further results from the nation's disputed presidential poll, adding further confusion to a contest which appears headed for a second round. Votes from about 17 per cent of 27,000 polling stations have been counted so far, meaning results could swing wildly in the coming days. Preliminary final results are due on September 3, with the final tally about two weeks later.

Afghanistan has been in political limbo since the August 20 vote, with partial results released so far showing President Hamid Karzai leading his main rival, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, by about 43 per cent to 34 per cent.

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission said only votes from provincial council elections, held concurrently with the presidential poll a week ago, would be counted yesterday.