DHAKA: Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah remains the frontrunner with 80% of votes counted.

Afghanistan officials say, reports the BBC.

Dr Abdullah has 43.8% of ballots cast, followed by Ashraf Ghani with 32.9%, according to the Independent Election Commission (IEC).

The IEC said the preliminary results suggested it was unlikely there would be an an outright winner and a run-off vote would be held on 28 May.

About 7 million people voted across the 34 provinces in the 5 April poll.

The next president will face several challenging issues, including the expected withdrawal of foreign combat troops from Afghanistan later this year and ongoing attacks by the Taliban.

BDST: 1908 HRS, APR 24, 2014