Afghanistan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah claimed victory Monday over incumbent Ashraf Ghani in the weekend's presidential election, far ahead of the release of any official results.
The move is likely to stir political tensions across Afghanistan and brings to mind the election Abdullah and his top rival Ghani bitterly contested in 2014 that sparked a constitutional crisis and prompted US intervention.
"We have the most votes in this election," Abdullah said at a news conference, without giving a basis for his assertion.
"The results will be announced by the IEC (Independent Election Commission), but we have the most votes. The election is not going to go to a second round."
"According to the law, it is the IEC that decides who is the winner."
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