Afghan election goes to run-off

Officials in Afghanistan said a second round of its presidential election will be held on November 7 after fraud claims discredited first round results.



The run-off will take place between President Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah.



The news comes a day after a United Nations backed panel said it had clear evidence of fraud in August\'s first round, lowering Mr. Karzai\'s vote share below 50 percent.



Initial results suggested that Mr. Karzai had received 55 percent of the vote, and ex-Foreign Minister Mr. Abdullah 28 percent.



The Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), ordered that ballots from 210 polling stations be discounted.



One poll monitoring group said this means that Mr. Karzai\'s total is reduced to below 50 percent, plus one vote required for outright victory, indicating that a second round is needed.



Mr. Karzai has accepted the ECC’s findings.