Preliminary results from Afghanistan's presidential election have been delayed for a second time, election officials announced Wednesday, a postponement likely to fuel more political uncertainty and fraud allegations.

Afghanistan's presidential poll results delayed again

The result of the Afghan presidential election may be further delayed, two officials said, after the main challenger to incumbent Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday he would not agree to the addition of hundreds of thousands of what he called suspicious votes to a planned recount.

Afghan poll results may be delayed again as candidates spar over recount: Officials

The Afghan government on Saturday said that work on the US-Taliban peace deal will start after the presidential election scheduled for September 28. "Taliban's attempt to visit Moscow and other countries shows the group has 'failed' in the (peace) process, Afghan presidential spokesperson, Sediq Sediqqi said in a tweet.

Working on presidential elections, peace deal later: Afghan government

A former warlord accused of historic war crimes entered Afghanistan's presidential race on Saturday in a new challenge to President Ashraf Ghani who allowed him to return from exile two decades he was forced out by the Taliban.

Former Afghan warlord Hekmatyar enters presidential race

The announcement by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) comes after weeks of speculation that the vote would be postponed to create space for US-led efforts to end the 17-year war with the Taliban.