Karzai takes slight lead in Afghan partial vote count

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The Afghan electoral commission says President Hamid Karzai is holding a slight lead in the nationwide presidential poll. The early figures are based on 10 percent of the ballots.

Partial results show President Hamid Karzai and his rival, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, just about even.

Daoud Ali Najafi, Chief Electoral Officer, said, "The results are only partial results and it is only 10 percent, almost ten percent of the total count that has taken place."

The commission says less than two percent of Kandahar votes have been counted, and none in Helmand.

Karzai would expect to do well in both provinces, suggesting his returns could go higher.

If neither Karzai and Abdullah wins more than 50 percent, they will face each other in a run-off, probably in October.

Election officials have stressed that the election commission is the only source to release certified results.