In Afghanistan, supporters of presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani celebrated in Kabul late on Monday night after preliminary results gave the former finance minister a clear poll lead. <br /><br />The second round run-off has been marred by allegations of fraud.<br /><br />Despite that, the country’s electoral commission said early counting showed Ghani had taken more than 56 percent of the vote. <br /><br />The final result is not due until July 22nd with the presidential poll’s organisers warning the tally may change with more fraud checks pending. <br /><br />Ghani’s rival Abdullah Abdullah angrily rejected the preliminary count, describing it as a ‘‘coup’‘.<br /><br />Abdullah’s supporters claim widespread vote rigging and there are fears his rejection could divide the country along ethnic lines and even lead to a succession crisis. <br /><br />In a blunt warning, Secretary of State John Kerry has said ‘‘any action to take power by extra-legal means will cost Afghanistan the financial and security support of the United States.’‘
