Abdullah Abdullah who indicated his withdrawal from the Afghan Presidentail run-off elections has annouced that he will be no longer running for elections on November 7, 2009. Mr. Karzai’s only challenger in the Afghan run-off has accused the government not meeting the demands for a fair election free from frauds.

Dr. Abdullah told the reporters:

As far as I’m concerned, the decision I have reached is not to participate. I have strong, strong reservations about the credibility of the process.

Karzai who had been favorite to win the run-off after getting more votes in an August 20 first round marred by widespread fraud said in a statement:

Dr Abdullah’s decision has disappointed us. Hiss team would accept whatever rulings are made by the IEC and legal authorities such as the Supreme Court.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has announced that according to the contitution, the election will be held as scheduled.

Abdullah’s withdrawal, and the IEC’s decision to push ahead with the process, presents the possibility of foreign countries now being asked to put more troops at risk to secure an election in which the winner is already known.

Weakened Afghan government with almost no credibility will be a blow to Obama administration that hoped that there will be less irregularities in Afghan run-off elections.