Call to sack Afghan election head

**Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has demanded the chief of the country’s election commission be sacked ahead of a run-off poll next month.**In a news conference Mr Abdullah said that Azizullah Lodin, the chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), has “no credibility”.

A run-off poll is due to be held on 7 November after a UN-backed panel discarded votes over widespread fraud.

The IEC commissioners were appointed by incumbent president Hamid Karzai.

Mr Abdullah and Hamid Karzai earlier ruled out a power-sharing deal.

Both candidates told American media they were committed to another poll.

Speaking to CNN Mr Karzai, who bowed to international pressure to hold a run-off, said a deal would be “an insult to democracy”.