Afghans worry about security for runoff

Obama has said that the new Af-Pak strategy and a decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan is unlikely to be taken before November 7.

I think it is entirely possible that we have a strategy formulated before a runoff is determined. We may not announce it, Obama told the NBC in an interview.

Afghanistan also faces a logistical nightmare ahead of the November 7 vote that pits President Hamid Karzai against Abdullah with the harsh winter closing in fast.

Daoud Ali Najafi,chief electoral officer of he government-appointed Independent Election Commission IEC,said he was worried security forces would have enough time to make the thousands of polling stations safe for voters.

The UN mission in Afghanistan,which provides assistance with elections,has started distributing ballot materials around the country. It has already said many district officials would be replaced as part of efforts to prevent fraud.

The IEC has also vowed to prosecute anyone suspected of having committed fraud.