**Supporters of Afghan President Hamid Karzai have criticised a UN panel investigating claims of fraud in the presidential election, reports say.**The news came hours before the panel was expected to reveal that Mr Karzai did not get the more than 50% of votes needed to avoid a second round.
Mr Karzai says he won the vote outright but widespread fraud has been alleged.
The US says no more troops will be sent to Afghanistan until it is established that the government is legitimate.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told CNN TV it would be “reckless” to take such a decision without a thorough analysis of the new government.
Washington is debating a request for 40,000 more troops to be sent to boost efforts to fight Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants.
‘Deadlock’
Initial results from August’s election gave Mr Karzai 55% of the votes, with his nearest rival, Abdullah Abdullah, getting 28%.
AFGHAN FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
- 13 Oct: Karzai casts doubt on fair functioning of ECC, but his opponents accuse him of manufacturing his concerns
- 30 Sep: UN recalls envoy Peter Galbraith following row over the vote recount process
- 15 Sep: ECC chief says 10% of votes need to be recounted
- **8 Sep: **IEC says votes from 600 polling stations “quarantined”
- 3 Sep: Claims 30,000 fraudulent votes cast for Karzai in Kandahar
- 30 Aug: 2,000 fraud allegations are probed; 600 deemed serious
- 20 Aug: Election day and claims 80,000 ballots were filled out fraudulently for Karzai in Ghazni
- 18 Aug: Ballot cards sold openly and voter bribes offered
Election: Main fraud allegations
But EU observers say that as many as one in four votes cast were suspicious.
The UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) launched an investigation into the vote following the fraud allegations.
It will report its findings on Monday to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has the power to adjust the final tally.
However, the IEC - which is dominated by Mr Karzai’s allies - is refusing to accept the result, sources involved in the process told the Associated Press.
Commenting on the investigation, Mohammad Moin Marastyal, a senior member of Mr Karzai’s team, said the ECC panel’s findings were incorrect, adding that “we are now in a deadlock”.
Officials say Mr Karzai is furious over the prospect of facing a second round, threatening to delay or block attempts to hold it.
He has refused to comment publicly on the ECC’s findings before they are released.