Afghan restarts presidential poll audit without observers from Ghani, Abdullah's team

The presidential poll audit in Afghanistan has reportedly restarted without observers from either of the two factions after both Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani refused to participate in the process.

Abdullah pulled out his team after raising concerns over electoral fraud and Ghani withdrew his group of observers after claiming that he was asked to do so by the United Nations, reported the BBC.

Both the candidates had earlier alleged that the presidential elections were rigged. They subsequently agreed to form a government of national unity but failed to reach an agreement.

The UN remarked that Abdullah's withdrawal from the process was "regrettable".

The poll audit began a month ago and may take weeks to complete.