An election commission worker unloads ballot boxes in Herat province, Afghanistan. (Photo: AFP)

(VOVworld) – Former Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah is leading in the presidential race, with 50% of votes checked, said the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC). The IEC Chairman Yusuf Nuristani said Sunday that the preliminary poll results showed the Former Foreign Minister gained 44.4% of the votes, followed by Asharf Ghani Ahmadzai with 33.2%, and Zalmai Rassoul 10.4%. The final results will be announced on May 14. If no candidate wins more than half of the votes, the two candidates with the highest votes will face a second round on May 28.