Karzai's main challenger calls for fair election in Afghanistan

KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The main challenger to Afghanistan' s sitting President Hamid Karzai in the Aug. 20 presidential race Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday called upon the country's election body to ensure fairness of the polls.

"I am calling on the Independent Election Commission to discharge its responsibility honestly, ensure holding a fair election and do not allow the president to use government resources," Abdullah told a big gathering of his supporters here.

At the last stage of his election campaign, Abdullah described the present administration under Hamid Karzai as corrupt and called on people to oust it through voting.

Abdullah who served as foreign minister in Karzai's cabinet in the past and promised to change the current presidential system to parliamentary one.

He also vowed that the provincial governors, district chiefs and mayors would be elected if he wins the coming election.

Afghanistan's second presidential and provincial councils is going to be held amid tight security on Thursday as the Taliban militants have threatened to disrupt it.