A couple of days earlier People held demonstration in the western part of the Kabul city in support of team of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Few days ago after the revelation that staggering amount of votes were casted in the restive provinces where independent election observers feared to go, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the frontrunner at the first round of Presidential Election suspended ties with election commissions on account of widespread electoral rigging by their personnel in the favor of his rival. In a press conference in Kabul, he said that he called back all observers and no one from his team will cooperate with election commission unless his demands are met.

He asked for stoppage of the vote counting also discharging Amerkhail, the chief secretary of the Independent Election Commission. But the commissions have not accepted his demands and said to continue doing its job as per law in the presence of representatives of Dr. Ashraff Ghani, Afghan civil society and international observers.  Dr. Abdullah also requested the United Nations to interfere and ensure that fake and real votes are filtered.

This action by the presidential candidate was unexpected.  All presidential candidates, including Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, vowed to accept the decision of election commissions. Both in first and second round, the international community and Afghan civil society supported the process and voiced their satisfaction from the level of transparency practiced. As obvious, in the first round Dr. Abdullah gained the highest percentage of votes and though some other candidates were criticizing the result. Despite their criticisms, they finally accepted instead of pushing the country into another round of political uncertainty and instability.

Needless to say, both Dr. Ashraff Ghani and Dr. Abdullah negotiated with previous candidates as well as other influential leaders. Both could succeed to attract influential figures. It is worth  to single out Dr. Zalmai Rasoul, the former Foreign Minister and Sayyaf, a former Jihadi leader who joined the team of Dr. Abdullah.

But could they bring their supporters too is questionable? For example did he get the support of Sayyaf? No doubt, he gained around seven percent vote in the first round Presidential election but his supporters were consisted of hardliners and conservative people who were looking forward for enforcement of Shariah Law. So, it was difficult that they could come to vote for Dr. Abdullah who supports somewhat modern political system.