Thousands protest against Afghan election

Surrounded by his supporters, presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah joins the protest against election fraud.

The opposition leader has pulled out from the voting process, accusing organisers and the Afghan President of rigging polls.

That's left the country at a deadlock, as neither Abdullah, nor his rival Ashraf Ghani, has managed to win more than half of the vote.

An estimated fifteen thousand took part in the march towards the Presidential Palace to demand a free and fair election.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MOHAMMAD BARAAT, PROTESTER, SAYING:

"We have gathered here to demand our rights and condemn the fraudsters. We want our rights and will defend our rights to the last drop of our blood."

The United Nations has warned of an escalation in ethnic tensions and called for Abdullah to rejoin the election.