Afghan presidential candidate's supporters stage rally

Kabul, June 27 (IANS) Thousands of supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah Friday staged a peaceful demonstration near the country's presidential palace in Kabul.

Carrying banners inscribed with slogans like "We want transparent elections results", "Our votes must be respected", "Death to those (who) committed fraud in the election process", the protestors gathered in Pashtunistan Square behind the Afghan presidential palace.

Abdullah secured 45 percent of some seven million votes in the April 5 presidential election against his rival Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai who secured 31.5 percent of the votes, Xinhua reported.

Earlier this month, Abdullah accused the Election Commission of siding with Ghani Ahmadzai at the June 14 runoff, saying he would not accept the Election Commission's decisions unless transparency is guaranteed.