Presidential candidate Abdullah challenges Afghanistan's preliminary election results

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 8 (UPI) -- Afghan presidential contender Abdullah Abdullah is challenging preliminary election results that show him lagging behind former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani.

Speaking to thousands of supports assembled in Kabul on Tuesday, Abdullah told them "You are the victorious; you have won the vote -- there is no question... We would rather be torn into piece than accept this fraud... We reject these results ... and justice will prevail."

The Independent Election Commission announced Monday that Abdullah garnered 43.56 percent of the votes so far tallied, trailing behind Ghani, who captured 56.44 of the votes in the June 14 run-off.

Despite cheers from the crowd urging Abdullah to "Announce your government," the former foreign minister did not announce a parallel government.

The White House expressed concern Tuesday that Abdullah would resort to "extra-constitutional measures" in light of the preliminary election results. The State Department similarly said it viewed "suggestions of a 'parallel government' with the gravest concern."