Afghanistan presidential election postponed to September

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's presidential election has been postponed by more than two months to Sept. 28, a spokesman for the country's Independent Election Commission said on Wednesday.

The delay follows Afghanistan's parliamentary election in October, which took place after months of wrangling and delay. It was marred by accusations of widespread fraud including ballot-stuffing, technical problems with biometric registration equipment, and attacks by Taliban insurgents.

President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and former national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar are among the declared candidates for the election.

It had previously been scheduled for July 20.

It is unclear how recurring peace talks between U.S. officials and the Taliban may affect the election.

The Taliban has so far refused to talk with the Ghani government, which it considers illegitimate.