Content：Afghan presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah appeared close to tears as he told supporters he was pulling out of the election run-off.

He told a meeting of tribal elders in Kabul his demands for a fair ballot had not been met.

Later he told a news conference he would continue to work for reform despite his decision to withdraw.

[Abdullah Abdullah, Former Presidential Candidate]:
"I did it with a lot of pain but at the same time with a lot of hopes towards the future because this will not be an end of anything.  This will be a new beginning."

On the streets of Kabul voters had mixed views.

[Mohammad Asif, Kabul Resident]:
"The second round of the election is for the good of the Afghan people because there were problems in the first round.  If Abdullah is not taking part that's his own political view."

"People know if Dr. Abdullah goes to the election maybe Karzai will repeat his act again."

The first round that gave President Hamid Karzai the most votes was seriously marred by fraud.

The run-off will still go ahead but a one-horse race may be bad news both for Karzai and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama.

Analysts say Karzai's legitimacy would be undermined because only his supporters would turn out to vote.

It would also make it harder for Obama to convince U.S. lawmakers and the American public to provide more troops and cash for a government whose lawfulness is in question.