KABUL: Thousands of Afghans stage a rally in support of presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah on the last day of campaigning.

People gathered in Kabul stadium wearing blue baseball hats, waving flags and championing former Foreign Minister Abdullah, raising the chance of a run-off as the incumbent President Hamid Karzai is tipped to win.

Karzai, who has ruled since the late 2001 US-led invasion into the country, has been criticized for his controversial alliances with warlords during election campaigning.

Seventeen million Afghans are eligible to go to the polls on Thursday. But the election has been overshadowed by threats from the Taliban.

The militants have issued warnings of direct attacks on polling stations. Afghan officials say they won't know exactly how many polling stations will be open until election day.

Hundreds of foreigners have fled the country amid fears of violence ahead of the vote.

About 200,000 Afghan security forces and the 100,000 US and NATO troops will provide security in the event. LINK