Afghan election chief responds to Abdullah's demand of replacement

Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has demanded the removal of the country's top election official, before the November 7th run-off. His criticism drew a sharp response later in the day.

At a Monday news conference, Abdullah Abdullah said that election commission chairman Azizullah Lodin has no credibility and should be replaced within five days.

Abdullah Abdullah said, "Immediate dismissal of Mr. (Azizullah) Lodin from the Election Commission. He has left no credibility for the institution and, unfortunately, for he, himself, in order to be trusted by the people of Afghanistan as the head of an independent body."

Abdullah also demanded the suspension of the ministers for Interiors, Education and Frontier and Tribal affairs. He accused these officials of having stumped for President Hamid Karzai before the original campaign period officially started.

Azizullah Lodin, head of Afghan Independent Election Commission  speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. Lodin replied that Abdullah does not have such  authority.

Lodin replied that Abdullah does not have such authority.

Azizullah Lodin said, "I don't think that he has the authority to remove and replace some ministers and some high officials in Afghanistan, including me, because in this country we have a constitution, we have law and regulation, and removal of the people, of high ranking officials must be based on these regulations."

Widespread fraud plagued the first round of the presidential election on August 20th. A run-off was ordered last week after Karzai bowed to intense US and international pressure.

In addition to fraud, violence has also overshadowed the process. Dozens of people were killed by Taliban militants during the August balloting.

And more vioence is expected, as the insurgent organization has issued fresh threats against those intending to vote in the November 7th run-off.