Abdullah Abdullah is in the lead with 82 % of the vote cast , Afghan electoral body says . Ghani was the country 's finance minister under Karzai . Candidate Ashraf Ghani is in second place , and Zalmai Rasoul is in third . Afghan electoral body says full vote count will begin Saturday , final results on March 14 . A majority vote will be needed in the country 's first democratic transfer of presidential power .
Abdullah Abdullah is in the lead with 82 % of the vote cast , Afghan electoral body says . Candidate Ashraf Ghani is in second place , and Zalmai Rasoul is in third . Afghan electoral body says full vote count will begin Saturday , final results on March 14 . A majority vote will be needed in the country 's first democratic transfer of presidential power .