Poll: Karzai could end up in runoff

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai may end up in a runoff in the upcoming election in spite of a big lead over his closest rival, a poll released Friday suggests.

The International Republican Institute poll was the second this week to show Karzai ahead of former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah by almost 20 percent, the Los Angeles Times reported. But both surveys show Karzai may fall short of the 50 percent needed for re-election without a runoff.

The IRI poll was conducted between July 16 and July 26. The poll found that Karzai's approval has risen from 31 percent to 41 percent since May.

Abdullah Abdullah's support jumped from 7 percent to 26 percent during the same period.

IRI surveyed 2,400 people across Afghanistan. The poll has a margin of error of 2 percent.

The Taliban has told Afghans not to vote, with some commanders threatening to cut off any fingers stained with purple ink, used to prevent a person from voting more than once.

If a runoff is needed, it would not be until October.