WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has told leading Afghan presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (ahsh-RAHF' gah-NEE' ah-mahd-ZEYE') that the U.S. expects allegations of election fraud in Afghanistan to be thoroughly reviewed.
The White House says Obama called Ghani on Tuesday. The phone call comes a day after Obama called Ghani's opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, to urge him not to declare victory while the electoral process plays out.
Preliminary results show Abdullah trailing Ghani by about a million votes. But Ghani says that's because of massive fraud. Ghani says he doesn't accept the results of the fraudulent vote.
The White House says Obama urged both candidates to stay calm and seek a resolution that doesn't undermine national unity. He's threatening to cut off U.S. aid to Afghanistan if "violent or extra-constitutional" means are used.