The incumbent President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai is declared the winner of Afghanistan presidential race. Thus, the run-off is canceled, Interfax reports.

“Azizullah Ludin, the chairman of Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission, said the Constitution did not require a runoff and the second-round vote had been canceled after Mr. Abdullah’s announcement that he was dropping out of the race,” The New York Times reads.

U.S. welcomed this initiative. “We congratulate President Karzai on his victory in this historic election and look forward to working with him, his new administration, the Afghan people and our partners in the international community to support Afghanistan’s progress towards institutional reforms, security and prosperity,” the U.S. Embassy statement reads.