Afghanistan voters to vote between two Presidential Candidates (Sat., June 14, 2014)

from IFES Election Guide (Afghanistan) -- www.election guide dot-org/ -- Election Notes: ◾The first round of the 2014 presidential election was held on April 5, 2014, alongside elections for members of the country’s 34 Provincial Councils. Turnout was comparatively high, with approximately 57% of eligible voters participating in what is expected to be Afghanistan’s first democratic transfer of power between heads of state. After the publication of preliminary results and a period of complaints adjudication, the final results of the first round were announced on May 15, 2014. Out of the eight candidates contesting the first round, none received an absolute majority of votes. Therefore, a runoff election is required by the Constitution and Election Law of Afghanistan. ◾Dr. Abdullah ABDULLAH—former Minister of Foreign Affairs and 2009 election runner-up—received the most votes in the first round, winning 45.00 percent (2,972,141 votes). He will face former Minister of Finance Dr. Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai, who received 31.56 percent (2,084,547) of the first-round votes, in a runoff election scheduled for June 14, 2014. Final results of the runoff election are scheduled to be announced on July 22, 2014.