Updated on
Summary
President Hamid Karzai's rival in a November 7 run-off presidential vote demanded that Afghanistan's chief election official be sacked, laying out an ultimatum that could complicate the pre-election process. Afghanistan is bracing for the run-off after the first round election in August was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. In a move that could fuel tensions further, Abdullah demanded Afghanistan's top election official Azizullah Ludin be sacked and the interior, education and tribal affairs ministers suspended during the election period. Abdullah's demand came on one of the deadliest days for U.S. troops in years. The NATO-led force said at least seven U.S. soldiers died in a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan and four others in a separate mid-air helicopter collision in the south.
