World Report: October 30, 2009 Vol. #15 Iss. #8
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
A Vote for Afghanistan
It's back to the polls for the people of Afghanistan. After two months of uncertainty, the country's president, Hamid Karzai, agreed to a runoff election, or second-round vote, of a hotly contested election that took place on August 20. The election was Afghanistan's second-ever presidential vote. Karzai has been in office for eight years.
The United Nations investigated charges of cheating in the vote count. Based on the findings of the investigation, nearly one out of every three ballots cast for Karzai was thrown out. This brought Karzai's totals below 50%, the amount a candidate needs to win.
Karzai says the claims are not true. But he agreed to the new vote. Karzai will again face his main rival, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah. The election will take place on November 7.
President Barack Obama supports the runoff election. "President Karzai's constructive actions established an important precedent for Afghanistan's new democracy," he said. Obama is expected to announce a new plan for the U.S. in Afghanistan in the coming weeks.
