Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah 'extends lead' as vote count continues

Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has extended his lead over his rival Ashraf Ghani.

According to latest partial results from the presidential election, Dr Abdullah, a former foreign minister, has 44 percent of the vote while Ghani has 33 percent.

About seven million people voted across 34 provinces in the 5 April poll, and until now about half the votes have been counted, the BBC reports.

Final results are expected on 14 May. Independent Election Commission chairman Ahmad Yousuf Nouristani has warned that the current statistics are 'partial' and 'changeable,' the report said.

Speaking after the latest results were announced, Dr Abdullah said he was ready for a second round.

Zalmai Rassoul, another former foreign minister, who is believed to be President Hamid Karzai's preferred successor, has 10 percent of the vote from the first round, the report added.

A runoff will take place in late May if no candidate gets a majority.