Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, a three-time presidential contender, appeared at a press conference on Monday--two days after the 2019 presidential election--and said his team will form the next government, as they have received the highest number of votes.

According to the Election Commission, the current total is 2.1 million votes. And although voting information is still coming in, the entry of results into the main server has begun.

Abdullah was supported by First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, High Peace Council Chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili, Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqeq and head of Jamiat-e-Islami party, and acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.   

“Our vote is the highest in the election, and the election will not go to a second round,” Abdullah said, adding that his team will form the next government. 
He thanked the people for their participation in the election and said “our people voted in the election against dictatorship and discrimination.”

Abdullah said that his main concern is the non-biometric votes, which should be segregated and disregarded by the Election Commission. 

“Some government officials interfered in the elections on the election day. They will be treated legally,” Abdullah said. “I thank the (election) commission and NATO forces for their role in the election’s security.” 

He said the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission has an important task afterwards.

Asked if he would form a similar government like the National Unity Government, Abdullah said: “The situation in 2014 was different. We were the winning team at that time… Now it is 2019 and I have announced, and I am reiterating, that only pure votes will be accepted by us,” referring to votes that have been verified by a biometric system.  

He mentioned that the people’s turnout was not at the level expected, but allowed that there were conflicts in many parts of the country, even on the election day. But despite that, he said, the turnout was considerable.

“Dealing with the numbers, if they are not checked, anything is possible—but if you are talking about the proper use of biometrics—that is one of the measures that can mitigate massive fraud,” said Abdullah.

Asked if he had compromised in the formation of the  National Unity Government, Abdullah said he sacrificed in the 2014 elections-- he did not compromise-- and that will not be repeated this time.

Shortly after Abdullah’s remarks, the head of the Election Commission Secretariat, Habib-Ur-Rahman Nang, said candidates have no right to announce their “victory.” 

“Only the election commission has the right to announce the election results,” Nang said.

He mentioned that election materials from 294 districts have been transferred to the centers of provinces.

According to Nang, the commission has received almost 7,500 result sheets so far.